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Is Saudi Arabia replacing the US with China in its security partner mix?
- Riyadh is building rapport with Beijing and increasing its imports of Chinese weapons amid pressure from Washington over human rights
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Beijing and Riyadh revealed little of the substance of Prince Khalid bin Salman’s trip to the Chinese capital in June, when the Saudi defence minister met his opposite number, Dong Jun, as well as Central Military Commission vice-chairman Zhang Youxia.
Publicly, both sides said they were “open to cooperation” and discussed “coordination efforts to promote international peace and security”.
The visit fuelled speculation that Riyadh could be looking to Beijing to ease pressure from Washington on issues such as human rights and its stand on the Israel-Gaza war.
Defence specialists said the conflict and tensions in the broader Middle East would undoubtedly have been on the agenda – along with Saudi Arabia’s rising arms purchases from China. But Saudi Arabia still saw the United States as its key security partner – even as it increases rapport with and arms purchases from China.
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US-led coalition strikes Iran-backed Houthi fighters in Yemen
US-led coalition strikes Iran-backed Houthi fighters in Yemen
China is believed to have a minor but growing influence in the region, brokering the restoration of diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran last year.
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