China’s Xi Jinping to Visit Saudi Arabia Amid Global Reshuffling

 This article from the wall street journal explains that Saudi Arabia, once a steadfast ally of the United States, is deepening its relationship with other great powers. Recently, President Xi Jinping announced he would visit Saudi Arabia before the end of the year. Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi said that Beijing "attaches a great importance to the development of Chinese-Saudi relations and places Saudi Arabia as a priority in China's overall diplomatic policy". Saudi Arabia is very invested in its oil policy currently and is remains neutral in the Ukraine conflict. Saudi Arabia is a big player in controlling global oil prices, and by instituting higher prices, have indirectly aided Russia since their main export is oil. This has drawn much scrutiny from other countries but Saudi Arabia maintains that it does not want to pick sides. The article points out that there is a global realignment taking place and higher tensions between Saudi Arabia and the U.S. China is also currently Saudi Arabia's largest customer and Saudi Arabia in turn is China's largest supplier of crude oil. These increasing ties between Saudi Arabia and China have already started to influence politics. For example, Saudi Arabia has publicly defended China's policies in Xinjiang where many Uighur Muslims are being persecuted. Saudi Arabia has also introduced Mandarin into school curriculums as a business language that is only increasing in importance. In U.S. foreign policy, the U.S. wants to pivot to Asia and focus on Taiwan and other key countries but the article argues that with China's increasing influence in the middle east, the U.S. may be forced to backtrack as this is an important geopolitical spot. Currently, the U.S. plans to further its relationship with Iran which sees Saudi Arabia as an enemy in order to create a favorable balance of power in the region. I think that with Saudi Arabia turning more and more to the world market and pursuing its own interests, the U.S. will have to reevaluate its connections and goals in the middle east. It worries me that these deepening political ties with China could also lead to more endorsement of the persecution of Uighurs and support for other anti-humanitarian activities. 

https://www.wsj.com/articles/chinas-xi-jinping-to-visit-saudi-arabia-amid-global-reshuffling-11667818979 

Gabriel Ham