Today, countries focus on multidimensional and multi-vector relations. Especially with the Russia-Ukraine War, the importance of cooperation diversity has been better understood and states have started to increase their partnerships and cooperation sectors. Another topic that is more and more prominent every day is the relations that China has developed with different countries. It is also noteworthy that the countries in question are allies of the United States (US). In this context, the Sino-Arab Summit, which will be hosted by Saudi Arabia on December 9, 2022, is important.[1]
It can be said that the visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Saudi Arabia for the summit will have important effects. It is expected that Xi will go to Riyadh days before the summit. This situation points to some steps to be taken outside the summit. On the other hand, this visit can also be read as an indication of the importance given to Riyadh by Xi.
First, the timing of the summit is very important. Because the summit coincided with a dynamic process in terms of international developments. At the same time, it is interesting that the meeting in question will be held at a time when Saudi Arabia-US relations are not going well in parallel with global developments.
In this context, the summit is critical as it shows that Riyadh has moved away from a foreign policy strategy in line with Washington’s directions. Issues such as developments in Beijing-Riyadh relations, Riyadh’s failure to follow the US’s desired path regarding oil prices, the decision of supplier countries to cut production, and Riyadh’s abstention in the United Nations (UN) votes on Russia; can be read as signs that reveal the orientation of Saudi Arabia. Therefore, the doubts about Riyadh being the security partner of the US are deepening day by day.
On the other hand, it is possible to say that the fact that Saudi Arabia is the “dialogue partner” of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) constitutes the institutional basis of the Sino-Saudi Arabian rapprochement. Riyadh is also interested in being closer to the SCO. Therefore, the strengthening of ties between Beijing and Riyadh includes the possibility of the SCO’s expansion towards the west. In the future, in parallel with the increase in the extent of intimacy, Riyadh’s “observer membership” to the SCO and its “full membership” in the long term may be on the agenda. This will not be welcomed by Washington.
The delegation, which will come to Riyadh, is expected to sign numerous agreements and memorandums of understanding with various Arab states covering the fields of energy, security, and investment. This means an increase in Chinese influence in the region. Beijing’s increasing influence is also reflected in Pentagon reports. The Pentagon, in its annual “Chinese Military Power” report, pointed out that the Chinese Army has significantly increased its relations with countries of the region in 2021. The report also included the following sentences regarding this issue:[2]
“As Beijing’s economic interests expand in areas such as Africa, Latin America, Central Asia and the Middle East, we expect to focus more on expanding power projection operations globally.”
In another way, the summit can be expressed as a consolidation of Chinese-Arab relations. It is also known that countries in the region have recently increased their interest in Asian geography. China is among these countries. The first Chinese-Arab summit will strengthen the ties between the converging actors. Speaking about the summit, Zhao Lijian, spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, stated that China considers Arab states as strategic partners in its pursuit of peaceful development, greater cooperation with developing countries, and building a community with a common future for humanity.[3] The summit can be predicted to be the new mechanism for cooperation between the parties.
In the current conjuncture where China has strengthened its ties with Arab states, China also became prominent with the report it published before the summit. The report titled “China-Arab Cooperation in the New Era” indicates that the relations between parties will develop and deepen. The report, which is considered a comprehensive review and summary of Sino-Arab relations, covers the issues of establishing strategic ties in various fields, deepening cooperation with political mutual trust, commercial cooperation, and cultural exchange.[4]
It is possible to say that issues included in the report will be on the agenda of the summit. It is expected that future cooperation areas will be shaped within the framework of issues such as promoting the Belt-Road Project, increasing the export of non-oil products from Arab countries to the Chinese market, and supporting Sino-Arab investment cooperation in sectors such as oil and natural gas.[5]
According to Chinese customs data, Saudi Arabia remained China’s largest source of oil in October 2022.[6] In this context, it is worth noting that energy cooperation is also an important agenda item. Indeed, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) recently announced that it has decided to stick to its current policy of reducing oil production by 2 million barrels per day, or about 2% of world demand, from November 2022 to the end of 2023.[7]
This situation brings about a new step by energy supplier countries that does not satisfy the US. Considering the energy-based cooperation that China plans to increase, the importance of the summit to be held increases. Therefore, it is foreseeable that cooperation in the field of energy will be one of the main matters of the summit.
As a result, the Chinese-Arab Summit will open a new chapter in Beijing’s relations with Arab countries. It can be said that many issues from energy to corporate cooperation will come to the forefront on this new page. Time will show how the deepening in relations will reflect on the Riyadh-Washington line.
[1] “Saudi Arabia to Host China-Arab Summit During Xi Visit, Sources Say”, Reuters, https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/saudi-arabia-host-china-arab-summit-during-xi-visit-sources-say-2022-11-30/, (Date of Accession: 05.12.2022).
[2] “Pentagon: China ‘Significantly’ Increased Engagement with Middle East in 2021”, Middle East Monitor, https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20221130-pentagon-china-significantly-increased-engagement-with-middle-east-in-2021/, (Date of Accession: 05.12.2022).
[3] “China-Arab Report Stresses Mutual Respect and Opposing Hegemony as First Summit Approaches”, Global Times, https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202212/1281006.shtml, (Date of Accession: 05.12.2022).
[4] “FM Issues Report on China-Arab Cooperation in New Era”, China.org, http://www.china.org.cn/world/2022-12/04/content_78550457.htm, (Date of Accession: 05.12.2022).
[5] “China-Arab Report…”, a.g.m.
[6] “Is Xi Jinping’s Trip to Saudi Arabia Another Step in the SCO’s Mideast Expansion?”, SCMP, https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3202067/xi-jinpings-trip-saudi-arabia-another-step-scos-mideast-expansion, (Date of Accession: 05.12.2022).
[7] “OPEC+ Agrees to Stick to Its Existing Policy of Reducing Oil Production Ahead of Russia Sanctions”, CNBC, https://www.cnbc.com/2022/12/04/opec-meeting-oil-producer-group-in-focus-ahead-of-russia-sanctions.html, (Date of Accession: 05.12.2022).
