Saudi Foreign Policy Towards China in the Post-Arab Uprisings Era: A Neo-classical Realist Approach

Abstract

In light of the unprecedented developments in the Middle East since the Arab uprisings that started at the end of 2010, Saudi Arabia’s international and regional role began to grow. Placing a clear emphasis on its East Asia policy, this Gulf country has improved its relations with Asian powers, particularly China, across a wide range of the interests on its agenda. What are the motivating factors that led the Saudi leadership to closer relations with Beijing? As this year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between two countries, it is worth examining the growing pace of Sino-Saudi relationship. This paper draws on the ‘neoclassical realist approach’ to explore the evolving nature of Saudi foreign policy towards China since the Arab uprisings to the present with a particular focus on the Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman era. Upon examining the main determinants that could have had an impact on Saudi foreign policy strategy towards China, this review found that Riyadh’s growing attention to Beijing is mainly influenced by a variety of both internal and external factors related to Saudi leadership, regional patterns as well as the international context. While the combination of these factors pushes Saudi Arabia and China towards cooperation, this paper argues that there are other factors that can act as limiting forces on the Sino-Saudi relationship.