Relationship dossier
People's Republic of China
Saudi Arabia
Relationship assessment
China and Saudi Arabia maintain a broad strategic partnership with high-level engagement and expanding cooperation.
People's Republic of China toward Saudi Arabia
+60China has pursued a strategic partnership with Saudi Arabia through high-level engagement and bilateral cooperation agreements. In 2023, Beijing hosted the agreement in which Saudi Arabia and Iran committed to restore diplomatic relations, reflecting China's active diplomatic engagement with Riyadh.
Saudi Arabia toward People's Republic of China
+60Saudi Arabia has deepened its strategic engagement with China through high-level visits and bilateral cooperation agreements. It also joined the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation as a dialogue partner in 2023, expanding its participation in a China-led regional framework.
Overall relationship
+60The relationship rests on a formal strategic partnership, repeated high-level engagement, and cooperation spanning economic and energy interests and diplomacy. China's role in hosting the 2023 Saudi-Iran agreement and Saudi Arabia's expanded participation in China-led initiatives are notable features. These ties are substantial but do not necessarily entail uniform alignment on regional or international questions.
How to read these scores
Scores are rough judgments, not objective measurements or current verification. Directional scores describe government policy and conduct, not public opinion. The overall score is an independent estimate, never an average.
- −100
- Extreme sustained hostility
- −50
- Substantially adversarial
- 0
- Mixed or neutral, supported by knowledge
- +50
- Substantially cooperative
- +100
- Exceptionally close sustained partnership
“Not assessed” means there is no recorded score. Pair existence makes no claim about diplomatic recognition or established relations.
Relationship context
Overview
China and Saudi Arabia have developed a broad strategic partnership, supported by high-level engagement, economic and energy cooperation, and formal bilateral agreements. China hosted the 2023 Saudi-Iran agreement restoring diplomatic relations, while Saudi Arabia has expanded engagement with China-led initiatives. Their relationship is substantially cooperative, though this does not establish alignment on every regional or international issue.
Key developments
China and Saudi Arabia established a comprehensive strategic partnership.
Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Saudi Arabia for high-level meetings and a China-Arab summit.
China hosted the agreement in which Saudi Arabia and Iran committed to restore diplomatic relations.
Saudi Arabia became a dialogue partner of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.
Major uncertainties
- The extent to which bilateral agreements have produced sustained implementation is unclear.
- The balance between strategic cooperation and differences on regional and international issues may change over time.