Xi Visit to Saudi Arabia Brings Pledge of More Oil Trade

Chinese presidential visit comes as ties with US fray
China is top Saudi trade partner and growing political ally

Xi Jinping, left, with Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh, on Dec. 8. Source: Royal Court of Saudi Arabia/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

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By Fahad Abuljadayel and Sylvia Westall

December 9, 2022 at 6:04 AM UTC

Updated on

December 9, 2022 at 8:44 AM UTC

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China is willing to expand oil trade with Saudi Arabia, President Xi Jinping said during a visit to the kingdom that reinforced ties between the world’s No. 2 economy and its top supplier of crude.

In a meeting in Riyadh on Thursday, Xi and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman also agreed to hold summits every two years and upgraded the relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership, the official Xinhua News Agency reported. The Chinese leader is set to meet more Arab leaders on Friday.