China Smiles Amid Deteriorating US-Saudi Relations

US OPEC+ Cut Decision Sparks Discontent... Advises Domestic Firms to Limit Saudi Business Expansion
Chinese Media Cite US Fox News, Introduce Saudi Royals Mentioning 'Jihad' and 'Martyrdom'

[Asia Economy Senior Reporter Cho Young-shin] Chinese state media including CCTV reported that Saudi Arabia (hereinafter Saudi) did not invite the United States to the 'Future Investment Initiative (FII) 2022' to be held on the 25th.

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

FII, held in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi, is the largest forum in the Middle East region, known as the 'Saudi version of the Davos Forum.' It is a highly symbolic event as Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the de facto ruler of Saudi, is leading the forum.

Chinese media reported that when journalists asked whether the U.S. delegation would attend the FII, the organizers stated, "We did not invite U.S. officials because we do not want political meetings."

Regarding this, Chinese media explained that the relationship between the U.S. and Saudi has been tense following the production cut decision by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries Plus (OPEC+). They added that U.S. dissatisfaction with the production cut decision is growing.

Regarding the production cut decision, Saudi stated that the decision was purely based on economic considerations and that they are striving to support the stability and balance of the global oil market.

As Saudi led the production cut decision against the U.S. opinion, the U.S. criticized it as a short-sighted decision, and President Joe Biden openly showed discomfort, saying he would reconsider the relationship with Saudi, a traditional ally.

The U.S. also appears to have taken action. On the 18th (local time), NBC reported that the U.S. government is considering advising companies to refrain from expanding business in Saudi.

China seems to be enjoying the situation between the U.S. and Saudi. Chinese media such as Global Times quoted U.S. Fox News the day before, introducing a warning video sent by a Saudi royal to the U.S. Saud Al-Salan, the grandson-in-law of Abdulaziz Al Saud, the first king of Saudi, mentioned jihad and martyrdom through social media (SNS), saying, "No leader of any country should threaten Saudi." He added, "This is a message to those who think they can threaten us (Saudi)."

Since a deterioration in U.S.-Saudi relations could be an opportunity for China, Chinese media appear to be closely monitoring the relationship between the U.S. and Saudi.

U.S. conservative Fox News criticized President Biden, saying he is turning the historically closest Middle Eastern ally into the U.S.'s biggest enemy. Chinese media, quoting Fox News, reported that the conflict and tension between the two countries could crack the security alliance between the U.S. and Saudi.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.