Xi Jinping Receives Grand Welcome in Saudi Arabia... US Says "Not Surprising"

Xi Jinping "Will Elevate China-Arab Relations to a New Level"
US "Will Not Force Choice Between US and China in the Middle East"

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Chinese President Xi Jinping has arrived in Saudi Arabia, officially beginning his Middle East tour. During the three-day schedule, President Xi is expected to hold large-scale summit meetings not only with Saudi Arabia but also with key Arab leaders for the first time. The U.S. government dismissed this as nothing surprising but indicated that it will closely monitor China's expanding influence in the Middle East going forward.

According to Saudi state-run SPA news agency on the 7th (local time), President Xi arrived in the afternoon at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, where he was welcomed by Prince Faisal bin Bandar, the governor of Riyadh. The Saudi side laid out a purple carpet and fired celebratory salutes to warmly welcome President Xi's visit.

In a statement released immediately upon arrival, President Xi emphasized, "China and Saudi Arabia have maintained close friendship, partnership, and brotherly relations over the past 32 years since establishing diplomatic ties," adding, "Through the first-ever China-Arab Summit and China-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit, we will elevate cooperation between China and the Arab world to a new level."

President Xi will stay in Saudi Arabia for the next three days and is scheduled to hold talks with King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. According to CNN, Chinese flags were displayed throughout the streets of Riyadh, and Crown Prince bin Salman is reportedly preparing a grand welcoming event.

Meanwhile, the U.S. government suggested it will keep an eye on the movements of Middle Eastern countries and China's expanding influence in the region in relation to President Xi's visit. John Kirby, Coordinator for Strategic Communications at the White House National Security Council (NSC), said at a press briefing that "It is not surprising that President Xi chose to visit the Middle East directly," but added, "We will not force Middle Eastern countries to choose between the U.S. and China."