Beijing builds stronger relations with Saudi Arabia and Iran

Global Business

Chinese President Xi Jinping’s tour of Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Iran signals a more proactive approach to the Middle East by Beijing.

CCTV’s Nathan King reports from Washington.

Ahead of the trip, China released its Arab policy paper, which details deeper involvement in the region diplomatically, economically and culturally.

The paper says China aims to, Deepen China Arab strategic cooperation, promote sustainable and sound relations, safeguard peace, stability and development, and strengthen China-Arab regional organizations.

China stresses its ability to help countries diversify their economies while respecting domestic development models.

Links to Beijing’s ‘one belt one road’ initiative will also be a priority. The policy that connects China’s west with central Asia and Europe and goes through the Middle East can provide many investment opportunities.

Helping build economic capacity in the region as well as promoting communications and financial hubs will also be a focus of the visit.

In the last decade China’s trade with the Middle East has grown from 20 billion dollars to 230 billion and is expected to hit 500 billion by 2020.


Political analyst Fahad Nazer on China-Saudi relations

CCTV America’s Asieh Namdar spoke to Fahad Nazer, a political analyst formerly with the Embassy of Saudi Arabia.


China-Saudi Arabia growing economic ties
Afshin Molavi of Johns Hopkins University spoke to CCTV America about the strengthening economic relationship between China and Saudi Arabia.
Molavi is a fellow at the John Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies.


Research fellow He Wenping on China and Saudi Arabia’s growing ties

CCTV America’s Elaine Reyes spoke with Ms. He Wenping in Beijing, a research fellow at the Institute of West.


CEO Florence Eid-Oakden on the potential of the “One Belt, One Road” initiative

CCTV America’s Elaine Reyes spoke with Florence Eid-Oakden, CEO and Chief Economist at the London-based independent research firm “Arabia Monitor”.