Shamoona Zia

Intern, KCPP Branch

POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT IN MIDDLE EAST AND ARAB WORLD

1- 15th August 2019

News- Saudi Arabia, China have established ‘comprehensive strategic

partnership1

Zhu Xinglong, counselor at the Chinese Embassy in Riyadh, said Saudi Arabia and
China have established a comprehensive strategic partnership.

Discussing Chinese-Saudi bilateral relations during an interview, he said: “The two

countries have set up the China-Saudi Arabia high-level joint committee.”
“The two sides have also enhanced political trust and maintained good momentum in
pragmatic cooperation in the fields of economy, trade, energy, science, technology,
education and culture, and have achieved fruitful results”.

ANALYSIS:

1. Background:

Saudi Arabia is a country of great importance both in the Middle East and the world.
Since the formation of diplomatic relations in 1990, the ties among China and Saudi
Arabia have witnessed constant and rapid, with mutual political trust being enriched,
and were raised to a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2016. Hence, China is
perceived as the biggest exchanging nation of Saudi Arabia. Economic and trade
relations have expanded between the two nations through Saudi Arabia's plenteous
petroleum rich terrains. Moreover, during the last visit of the crown prince, there have
been a number of agreements signed between China and Saudi Arabia. Moreover,
Prime Minister Imran Khan’s visit to Saudi Arabia, very major news came that Saudi
Arabia was a new partner in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). These

1
Person, "Saudi Arabia, China Have Established 'comprehensive Strategic Partnership'," Arab
News, August 03, 2019, , accessed August 18, 2019,
http://www.arabnews.com/node/1534636/saudi-arabia.
 Shamoona Zia
Intern, KCPP Branch

agreements had raised the bilateral relations between both countries in fields of energy,
investment and cooperation, terrorism and extremism.

The China-Saudi High-level Joint Committee was set up in 2016. This is a high-level
and institutionalized platform between the two governments, which has played a vital
coordinative role to encourage joint economic cooperation between the two countries
and consolidate economic and cultural relations.

2. Aim:
The aim was to raise the strategic partnership and bilateral cooperation between both
countries.

3. Aftermath:

Saudi- China relations are getting warmer day by day and will unlocked new ways of
success towards development. Their relations will directly and indirectly influence
Pakistan’s economy optimistically and will also strengthen the in-depth incorporation
between Vision 2030 and the Belt and Road initiative; organize and encourage practical
bilateral cooperation in all fields, in order to raise the strategic partnership to higher
levels and wider scopes; and inject new impulsion into the strategic partnership of
comprehensive cooperation and common development between China and Arab
countries. As both countries had excellent relations so they can work with Pakistan and
can take benefit of deep-sea port and the land around it. Beyond any doubt, joining of
Saudi Arabia will not only have superior value, but also will further legitimize the CPEC.
Saudi-China’s relations can unlock the new peaks of friendship triangle between Saudi
China and Pakistan.
 Shamoona Zia
Intern, KCPP Branch

News- Saudi, US officials discuss ways of enhancing energy investments and

cooperation2

Saudi Arabia Energy Minister Khalid Al-Falih and US Secretary of Energy Rick Perry,
with participation from Saudi Arabia Ambassador to the US Princess Reemabint Bandar
bin Sultan, reviewed the current state of the oil market.

During talks in Washington, two sides stressed their determination to work together to
ensure the security and stability of international energy supplies.

The meeting looked at ways of enhancing relations between the two countries and
investments in the fields of energy, industry, climate and technology.

ANALYSIS:

1. Background:

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United States of America have a long-lasting
relationship dating back to the 1930s, when American businessmen first travelled to the
Kingdom to help develop the country’s natural resources. Historically, the United
States and Saudi Arabia have had the common objectives of regional stability and
including Iran, they differed on core issues during the Obama administration. On
issues of national security and economic opportunity, the Saudi-U.S. relationship is vital.
The Kingdom remains one of America’s closest allies and strongest economic partners
in the Middle East. The trade relationship is driven by mutually beneficial interests that
facilitates and enables market access and job creation in both countries. Saudi Arabia
plays a crucial role in maintaining security in the Middle East, due to its economic, political,
and cultural importance and its strategic location.

2
Person, "Saudi, US Officials Discuss Ways of Enhancing Energy Investments and
Cooperation," Arab News, August 12, 2019, , accessed August 18, 2019,
http://www.arabnews.com/node/1537686/saudi-arabia.
 Shamoona Zia
Intern, KCPP Branch

U.S. security cooperation, the Kingdom has obstructed various terrorist attempts against
Saudi and foreign targets, and has been able to successfully discourage external attacks.

2. Aim:

The aim was to improve bilateral cooperation and broaden peace between countries.

3. Aftermath:

Saudi - U.S relations will not only sustain but will endure many storms, including several
regional, global conflicts and as the relationship of these two nations gets matured, it
will reflect the ideas of independence, justice and harmony.

Moreover, this talk is also powerful for forthcoming agreements and will blossom the
bilateral relations. This has a positive impact towards the politics of both countries. Both
countries will work together to ensure the security of global energy supplies, maritime
security and cyber security. Increasing relations between Saudi Arabia and US can also
strengthen relations of both countries with Pakistan. Moreover, Saudi and US can play a
vital role in reducing the conflict between Pakistan and India (on the issue of Kashmir).

News- Developing relations with Saudi Arabia Pakistan’s top priority, says PM
Khan3

Prime Minister Imran Khan told Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman that it was
his country’s top priority to strengthen its relations with the Kingdom. The prime minister
also conveyed his gratitude to the crown prince for the Kingdom’s strong political and
economic support to Pakistan.

The two leaders reaffirmed the closeness of the Pak-Saudi ties and reiterated their
shared resolve to forge a stronger partnership covering all aspects of bilateral relations

3
Person, "Developing Relations with Saudi Arabia Pakistan's Top Priority, Says PM Khan," Arab
News, August 01, 2019, , accessed August 18, 2019,
http://www.arabnews.com/node/1534076/saudi-arabia.
 Shamoona Zia
Intern, KCPP Branch

between their countries. They also agreed to maintain close consultations on all issues
of mutual interest.

ANALYSIS:

1. Background:

The relationships between Saudi-Pak are historically close and are rising day by day.
Saudi Arabia is one of the strongest supporters of Pakistan during challenges. In recent
years, both countries have exchanged high level plans for the development of both
countries. Moreover, few months ago, Prince Salman visited Pakistan and both
countries have signed different agreements in various sectors. These agreements
helped in accruing mutual benefits of the countries.

2. Aim:

The main purpose was to strengthen mutual cooperation and to resolve the problems of
mutual interest.

3. Aftermath:

Saudi Arabia and Pakistan relations are growing stronger than ever. This talk will
strengthen the bilateral cooperation between countries. As Saudi Arabia is the strategic
partner of both China and Pakistan so, this can mutually benefit Saudi Arabia, China
and Pakistan and will automatically open the new heights of friendship triangle between
Saudi, Pakistan and China. Moreover, growing relations between Saudi Arabia and
Pakistan can also to de-escalate tensions between India (especially on the Kashmir
issue) and can provide a way forward towards resolving differences peacefully.