Saudi Arabia’s cabinet has approved to join the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) on Wednesday as Riyadh develops a long-term alliance with Beijing despite American security concerns.
According to Saudi News Agency, Saudi Arabia accepted a letter giving the country SCO conversation partner status (SPA).
China, India, Russia, and other nations from much of Eurasia make up the SCO, a political and security union.
To play a stronger role as a counterweight to Western influence in the region, the group that was originally formed in 2001 by Russia, China, and former Soviet governments in Central Asia had been enlarged to include India and Pakistan.
Moreover, Iran completed the necessary paperwork for full membership last year.
According to Reuters, Chinese President Xi Jinping discussed joining the SCO while in Saudi Arabia last December.
Before granting the monarchy full membership in the organization, they claimed, dialogue partner status will be a prerequisite.
The choice was made in response to a Saudi Aramco announcement that, on Tuesday, it had increased its multi-billion dollar investment in China by finalizing a planned joint venture in northeast China and buying a stake in a privately owned petrochemical company.
However, Washington, Riyadh’s steadfast friend, is concerned about security due to the kingdom’s expanding ties with Beijing.
According to Washington, China’s efforts to sway events globally won’t alter US policy towards the Middle East.
