China pledges help to stabilise the Middle East http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,251-2149424,00.html PRESIDENT Hu Jintao signalled yesterday that Beijing would play a greater role in the affairs of the Middle East when he paid a historic visit to Saudi Arabia, the main supplier of oil for China’s growing economy. In an address to the Shura council, Saudi Arabia’s appointed legislature, the Chinese leader promised to work with Riyadh and other Arab governments on securing peace in the region. “The Middle East is a vital region and there will be no achievements and development in the world without a stable Middle East,” said Mr Hu, only the second foreign leader invited to address the assembly. “Under these current circumstances, China is ready to work with Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries to support peace and growth in the Middle East and build a harmonious world that enjoys constant peace and prosperity.” Although he did not offer any specifics, Mr Hu’s remarks were seen as a direct challenge to the United States, which for the past half century has dominated security and diplomacy in the region. China’s ruling Communist Party was at one time regarded by the deeply conservative Islamic Saudi regime as godless and untrustworthy; but the countries formed diplomatic relations in 1990 and recently have grown closer out of economic and political necessity. Saudi Arabia wants to expand its global relations, once dominated by its strategic partnership with the US but strained after the September 11 attacks in 2001 and the subsequent invasion of Iraq. China, the world’s second-largest oil consumer after the US, needs to build strong ties with its main supplier, which last year provided 17.5 per cent of the country’s oil needs. Mr Hu’s visit comes only three months after King Abdullah led a commercial delegation to Beijing. On the return visit this weekend the two sides signed security, defence, health and trade agreements. The countries also have a shared disdain for Western meddling in their internal affairs, particularly criticism over their human rights records. The Chinese leader told his hosts that the West should not “hurl false accusations against the internal affairs of other countries, let alone blame a specific civilisation, people or religion for causing problems and conflicts in the world”. He received a standing ovation.
Saudi might set up strategic oil reserve in China Sunday, April 23, 2006 - 02:42 PM [Kods Time] Chinese President Hu Jintao discussed with Saudi leaders during his current visit a proposal to set up a strategic oil reserve in China fed by Saudi supplies. The plan was raised during Hu's talks with King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz. The reserve would be on top of the oil supplies Saudi Arabia exports to China for its daily needs, and which reached some 22.18 million tons last year. The trip underlines the fast growing ties between the two countries as Beijing looks for oil to fuel its growth and Riyadh forges partnerships with Asian powers. King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz reached five economic deals, including an energy agreement, during his January trip to China.
Yah, I didn't notice that. I also just noticed how good SAR has been playing lately, what a warrior! Wish we had signed him instead of Slowmile.
Yea...China should put troops in Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries. Good idea, man! Osama Bin Laden wants China to secure peace in the region. The prophet has spoken.
Hey it might work. Since Saudi Arabia was part of the caliphate based in Bagdad at one point, and Baghdad was sacked by the Mongols in the 13th c, and the Mongols started their own dynasty in China, and were eventually defeated by the Chinese, I think with all that we can engineer some Chinese claim to Saudi Arabia (plus Zhang He was a muslim too...) that's textbook worthy. That's the historical green light right there. Send in the PLA. I'd rather have China in charge than the House of Saud any day, and I mean that.
Where did you get that Osama Bin Ladin was behind this? Osama Bin Ladin probably dislikes the PRC almost as much as he dislikes America. Afterall they are still officially godless communists and are repressing fellow Muslims in Xizang. This is a relationship of convenience between the two. The Saudis want to sell more oil and the Chinese wants to buy more oil and also exert some more global influence. I have hard time seeing any ideological interests between the two.
