The Guardian: The Chinese president will visit Saudi Arabia next week on his first trip abroad as president, and prepare for a huge reception
A spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry said, Thursday, that he has no information to provide, at the present time, regarding what was stated in a media report that Chinese President Xi Jinping will visit Saudi Arabia next week.
The Guardian reported that Saudi Arabia is planning to hold a reception for Xi, similar to the one granted to former US President Donald Trump, on his first trip abroad as president, without saying from where it obtained the information.
The Guardian’s report added that the welcome being prepared for the Chinese leader “starkly contrasts with the welcome given to US President Joe Biden,” reflecting the strained relations between the two countries, and the personal alienation between Biden and the de facto Saudi leader, Mohammed bin Salman.
The Chinese president intends to “strengthen ties between Beijing and Riyadh,” and present China as an ally of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, at a time when its relationship with Washington is deteriorating.
China is the most important trading partner of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as China is the largest buyer of Saudi oil.
China had not taken any position regarding the Kingdom’s war on Yemen, its severing of relations with Qatar, or the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
In preparation for the visit, which is expected to include Riyadh, Jeddah and the mega-city project, NEOM, thousands of Chinese banners welcoming the president will be raised, and hundreds of distinguished personalities will be invited.
