Saudi Crown Prince continues to improve the ties with the international community. Next week, Mohammed bin Salman will visit China, Beijing’s foreign ministry confirmed on Friday. The royal visit China as part of a swing through Asia in which the Saudi Arabian leader is expected to sign an investment agreement with cash-strapped Pakistan.
Mohammed bin Salman’s visit aimed at the promotion “the greater development of Sino-Saudi relations” and deepening the cooperation on China’s “Belt and Road” economic and trade diplomacy initiative. The trip comes as the world’s top crude exporter has been investing heavily in refinery and petrochemicals projects across the globe to secure long-term buyers of its oil. Crown Prince also to make stops in Pakistan, India, Malaysia and Indonesia.
According to the Chinese foreign ministry spokesman, Saudi Arabia Crown Prince is doing his best to improve the image of his kingdom after Jamal Khashoggi murder last October.
Mohammed bin Salman, or MbS as the international mass media tagged Saudi royal, has come under suspicion over an alleged role in the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, will meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Vice Premier Han Zheng.
Saudi Arabia, Pakistan will sign several agreements next week
Pakistan prime minister will welcome Saudi Arabian royal for signing several agreements, including deals for a US$10 billion oil and refining complex in Pakistan’s strategic port of Gwadar on the Arabian Sea. The port figures prominently in plans for the massive multi-billion dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, a collection of infrastructure projects seen as a key plank in the Belt and Road initiative.
MbS’ travels take place against the backdrop of the diplomatic crisis triggered by the brutal murder in Turkey of Saudi journalist Khashoggi.