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US, Israel war on Iran
ChinaDiplomacy

Shifting Saudi ties: what role could China take after Iran war is over?

Caught between Washington and Tehran, Riyadh may shift towards self-reliance and diversifying partnerships, observers note

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Smoke rises above RIyadh amid the US-Israeli conflict with Iran. Since the war began on February 28, Iranian missiles and drones have targeted key Saudi infrastructure. Photo: Reuters
Alyssa ChenandFan Chen
The Iran conflict is pushing Saudi Arabia to reconsider its US-led security strategy, with China emerging to play a limited, but functional role, analysts say.

However, deep US ties in defence would restrict Saudi Arabia’s broader cooperation with China, they added, as one expert predicted Riyadh was likely to deepen ties with regional powers such as Pakistan and Turkey.

In a rare alignment, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia, a key US ally in the Middle East, initiated a phone call with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday.
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He said Riyadh was ready to strengthen communication and coordination with China to “prevent the resurgence of hostilities, ensure the safety and freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, and work together to find solutions for long-term regional stability and security”.

During the phone conversation, Xi said for the first time that the Strait of Hormuz should remain open, adding that it aligned with the “common interest of countries” in the region and the international community, according to state news agency Xinhua.

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