Saudis Look to China for Business as US Influence Wanes (1)

Days after welcoming Secretary of State Antony Blinken as part of efforts to reset relations with the US, Saudi Arabia turned its attention to boosting ties with one of Washington’s main competitors: China.

In recent days, the Saudi capital has played host to the largest ever Chinese-Arab business gathering. Under the chandeliers and vaulted ceilings of Riyadh’s grandest conference hall, Saudi officials spoke of integrating China into the Arab region and Chinese executives said they stood ready to “de-Americanize” the world’s top oil exporter. At lunch they mingled over a fusion of dim sum and local mutton.

Khalid al-Falih addresses the Arab-China Business Conference in Riyadh, on June 11.

Photographer: Fayez Nureldine/AFP/Getty Images

“The time ...