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Chinese President Xi Jinping ended his multiple-day visit to Saudi Arabia with a series of agreements that have bolstered concerns by the United States over China’s efforts to expand its influence worldwide, CNN reported.

Observers described the state visit as a snub to the US, as relations between the Saudis and Americans have become strained in recent months.

In a joint statement, China and Saudi Arabia said they would align on everything from “security to oil” and vowed deeper cooperation in other fields, including space research, digital infrastructure, and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

One of the key areas mentioned during the visit was security. Historically, Saudi Arabia has relied on the US for military security and backing against regional foes in return for oil. But now Riyadh is seeking to diversify its options, including purchasing Chinese weapons, as well as cooperating closely with Beijing on security and defense.

During a summit between China and countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in Riyadh during his visit, Xi said Beijing will continue to “import crude oil in a consistent manner and in large quantities from the GCC, as well as increase its natural gas imports” from the region. China is the world’s largest buyer of oil.

The Chinese leader also urged GCC countries to take advantage of the Shanghai Petrol and Gas Exchange “as a platform to conduct oil and gas sales using Chinese currency.” Analysts explained that such a move would strengthen the Chinese yuan currency and weaken the US dollar.

Even so, neither China nor Riyadh would confirm whether they were discussing shifting from the US dollar to the Chinese yuan in regard to oil trading.

Another key point agreed upon was the principle of non-interference, in which both countries affirmed not to interfere in each other’s internal affairs – such as by criticizing their human rights records. Criticism by Western countries over the two nations’ domestic and foreign policies, such as the killing of Saudi dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi and Beijing’s claims over Taiwan and its treatment of minorities, is the cause of resentment in both those countries, analysts said.

They suggested that the visit underscores the waning influence of the US in the Middle East.

Still, Saudi Arabia was quick to dismiss polarization as counterproductive. Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud emphasized that his country is “keen on working with all parties,” adding that it was important for the oil-rich kingdom to interact with its traditional partner as well as rising economies.

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