CNN
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In a joint statement on Friday, China and Saudi Arabia pledged to align policies on a range of areas from security to oil, adding that they would support each other without interfering in each other’s internal affairs.
The agreement was made while Chinese President Xi Jinping was visiting the kingdom and comes amid souring relations between the United States and the two countries over oil production, human rights abuses and other issues.
Approximately 4,000 words Joint statement was issued by the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA) and expressed agreement on a wide range of global issues including energy, security, Iran’s nuclear program, the Yemen crisis and Russia’s war in Ukraine.
RIYADH and BEIJING were keen to underscore the “importance of stability in global oil markets,” noting that Saudi Arabia is a reliable oil exporter to Chinese partners. The two leaders also expressed their determination to “develop cooperation and coordination in the field of defense” and to continue cooperation on “fighting terrorism and its financing.”
The statement said that countries should “continue to firmly support each other’s core interests, support each other in maintaining sovereignty and territorial integrity, and make joint efforts to uphold the principle of non-interference in national affairs and international rules.” I have confirmed that Fundamental principles of law and international relations. ”
This includes not criticizing each other’s internal policies, perhaps including issues of human rights and domestic rules.
China also confirmed without adding details that it “opposes any action that interferes with the internal affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”
Both countries have been heavily criticized for their human rights records, and Washington has previously cracked down on numerous human rights violations and abuses committed by both China and Saudi Arabia.
In June, the United States banned all goods produced in the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region in western China. The State Department estimates that since 2017, up to 2 million Uyghurs and members of other ethnic groups have reportedly been imprisoned in a dark network of concentration camps. Subject to cruel and inhumane treatment, including torture, physical and sexual abuse, forced labor and death. Chinese authorities have consistently denied allegations of human rights abuses in Xinjiang.
And in 2021, a US intelligence report found that Saudi Crown Prince and de facto ruler Mohammed bin Salman, better known as MBS, was responsible for the murder of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi. MBS denied the allegations, claiming he was directly involved in the operation that led to the amputation.
Xi landed in Saudi Arabia’s capital Riyadh on Wednesday for a multi-day visit to the oil-rich kingdom and received a lavish welcome from MBS and other Saudi officials on Thursday. Saudi Arabian military jets accompanied the Chinese president’s plane as a purple carpet was rolled out and artillery fired upon his arrival.Saudi Arabia’s state television said on Friday that President Xi Jinping was seen by Saudi Arabia’s Salman bin Abdul Invited King Aziz Al Saud to visit China.
Xi’s visit includes attendance at the “Saudi Arabia-China summit,” China-Arab and China-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) summits, SPA reported.
On Thursday, China and Saudi Arabia signed a comprehensive strategic partnership agreement that includes a number of deals and memoranda of understanding on hydrogen energy, coordination between the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 and China’s Belt and Road Initiative, and direct investment. SPA reported without providing details.
Xi’s warm welcome was in stark contrast to the frigid atmosphere surrounding US President Joe Biden’s visit to the kingdom earlier this year.
In October, the US said it needed to “rethink” its relationship with Saudi Arabia after the Saudi-led oil cartel OPEC+ cut oil production.
Washington is also at odds with China over Taiwan, a democratically governed island of 24 million people, which Beijing claims to be its own territory even though it has never ruled it. .
In response to President Xi Jinping’s visit to Riyadh, Washington said it was “not surprised” and was “mindful of China’s growing influence around the world.”
Saudi Arabia has sought to diversify its alliances in recent years, particularly amid growing U.S. criticism of the Kingdom’s policies and perceptions of Gulf monarchies weakening the U.S. security presence in the Middle East. There is
“As Saudi Arabia seeks to pursue its economic diversification plans, China is a strong partner and far less important than other Western countries.” Written by Amena BakrOPEC Chief Correspondent for Energy Intelligence, on Twitter.
Saudi writer and analyst Ali Shihabi wrote that from a Saudi perspective, it was frustrated that “U.S. politicians continue to define the kingdom” by the killing of Khashoggi, the Yemeni war, and human rights.
“Even the United States, with all its capabilities, spent 20 years and trillions of dollars trying to reform Iraq and Afghanistan, lost countless lives, and failed miserably,” he said. wrote.
Saudi Arabia is “pursuing a multipolar strategy of strong strategic ties,” Shihabi added.
He said it is working with China, India and Russia on oil and with Britain and France as alternatives to the US on arms sales.
