Saudi Arabia pivots towards China, snubs Western concerns.

Saudi Arabia's energy minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, has stated that the kingdom wants to collaborate with China, not compete with it, and "ignored" Western concerns over their growing ties. The two nations' bilateral relationship has deepened in security and sensitive tech, in addition to hydrocarbon ties. Chinese entrepreneurs and investors have flocked to Riyadh for an Arab-China business conference, which came days after a visit by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. The momentum has also raised prospects for a successful conclusion to negotiations for a free trade deal between China and the Saudi Arabia-dominated Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), ongoing since 2004.