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Analysis

China’s Saudi visit reveals GCC goals for economic alternatives

China’s presidential visit to Saudi Arabia is expected to yield a host of deals as the GCC increasingly looks eastward on trade.
Chinese President Xi Jinping arrives in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday for three days of meetings: in this photo from Sept. 4, 2016, he greets Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Hangzhou, China.

Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Saudi Arabia today for a three-day visit in which he is expected to discuss prospects for economic and development cooperation with the kingdom and other Arab states via trade and investment in a variety of industries, including non-oil sectors. 

It is the first time in nearly seven years that the Chinese president visits the key energy ally to discuss ambitions for an initial agreement of $29.26 billion, according to the Saudi state news agency. 

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