The United States has intensified its efforts to persuade Saudi Arabia to distance itself from China and other BRICS nations due to concerns over geopolitical and economic issues. Washington's primary objective is to curb the transfer of sensitive technologies, infrastructure, and data to China, which it views as a potential threat to U.S. national security and economic interests. Despite this pressure, Saudi Arabia's recent actions—particularly its signing of $50 billion worth of agreements with Chinese financial institutions—indicate a clear shift towards closer ties with Beijing.
These developments align with Saudi Arabia's broader strategy to diversify its economic relationships and reduce its dependence on oil, as part of the Vision 2030 initiative. The new agreements with Chinese banks aim to foster two-way capital flows, supporting both debt and equity investments, thereby deepening the economic integration between the two nations.
One of the most notable aspects of this relationship is the increased Saudi investment in China. The Public Investment Fund (PIF) inked six major deals worth $50 billion with top Chinese financial institutions, aimed at enhancing bilateral capital flows and supporting investments in sectors such as technology and infrastructure. This follows a surge in Gulf investments in China, which jumped from $100 million to $2.3 billion in 2023, underscoring the rapid deepening of economic ties.
Saudi Aramco has also expanded its foothold in China. In 2024, the energy giant secured two major deals, reinforcing its role as a key crude supplier. One such deal was a $3.6 billion acquisition of a 10% stake in Rongsheng Petrochemical Co. Ltd., ensuring a long-term supply of 480,000 barrels per day to Zhejiang Petrochemical Corp., one of China's largest refining complexes.
