China’s Xi heads to Saudi Arabia, adding strain to US ties

Xi's visit to Saudi, the first in six years, will include two summits with Arab and GCC leaders and could see an agreement on nuclear technology
China's President Xi Jinping attends the 29th APEC Economic Leaders Meeting (AELM) during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Bangkok on Nov. 19, 2022.
China's President Xi Jinping attends the 29th APEC Economic Leaders Meeting (AELM) during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Bangkok on Nov. 19, 2022. - JACK TAYLOR/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
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Adam Lucente
@Adam_Lucente

Chinese President Xi Jinping is heading to Saudi Arabia on a three-day visit this week as Riyadh bolsters its economic and political ties with Beijing. 

The Saudi Press Agency confirmed on Tuesday that King Salman bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud has extended an invitation to Xi to visit the kingdom from Dec. 7 to 9. Riyadh is hosting three summits for the visit: a Saudi-Chinese summit, an Arab-Chinese summit, and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)-Chinese summit. 

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