We can “heal the rift” between the United States and China

Saudi Arabia can help be a channel of communication between the United States and China at a time of heightened geopolitical tensions, Saudi Finance Minister Mohammed Al-Jadaan said on Monday at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

The comments came amid questions about what worries the minister most in 2023. He called for calm and cooperation, noting Saudi Arabia’s ability to maintain an open dialogue with all major political powers amid Russia’s war in Ukraine, rivalry between Washington and Beijing, and energy market volatility. According to what he told CNBC, which was reviewed by Al Arabiya.net.

“I think we need to focus on cooperation and partnership, avoid further geopolitical tensions, and call for calm and political solutions to geopolitical tensions,” Al-Jadaan said.

“We have made our position clear on these issues, whether it is in the General Assembly at the United Nations or in other forums,” he added.

In response to a question about Saudi Arabia’s ability to facilitate dialogue between conflicting powers such as the United States and China, Al-Jadaan said: “I will say absolutely yes. We have a very strategic relationship with the United States, and we have a close relationship with China, and we believe that we can bridge the gap.”

In contrast to the nearly century-old Saudi-American relations, China has expanded its commercial relations with the kingdom – as Saudi Arabia’s first trading partner and largest buyer of its oil. According to what CNBC described, Riyadh’s relationship with Beijing is more functional and economic than strategic, meaning it is unlikely to replace the United States’ role in the kingdom anytime soon.

Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Saudi Arabia in December, and the two countries signed a strategic partnership agreement that the Chinese foreign ministry described at the time as “a milestone in the history of Sino-Arab relations.”