China's Xi at Saudi Palace to Meet Royals on Mideast Trip

By Ahmad El-Assasy

As sanctions against Russia for its involvement in the conflict in Ukraine get tougher, Chinese President Xi Jinping met with the king and crown prince of Saudi Arabia on Thursday while in the country. This strengthened his country's ties with a region vital to its energy supplies.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, King Salman's strong son who is poised to run the oil-rich country in the future, welcomed Xi when she arrived at Al Yamama Palace in Riyadh. As a Saudi and Chinese flag-bearer honour guard rode up, Xi shook hands with the prince.

Ahead of tightening sanctions against Russia over its involvement in the conflict in Ukraine, Chinese President Xi Jinping met with the king and crown prince of Saudi Arabia on Thursday while in the country. This strengthened China's ties to a region that is essential to the country's energy supplies.

King Salman's strong son, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who is poised to run the oil-rich country in the future, welcomed Xi when she arrived at Al Yamama Palace in Riyadh. As a horse-mounted honour guard carried the Saudi and Chinese flags, Xi shook hands with the prince.

As sanctions against Russia for its involvement in the conflict in Ukraine get tougher, Chinese President Xi Jinping met with the king and crown prince of Saudi Arabia on Thursday while in the country. By strengthening ties with the region, which is crucial to China's energy supplies, he also helped to ease tensions with Russia.

King Salman's assertive son and likely successor to the throne of the oil-rich country, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, welcomed Xi when she arrived at Al Yamama Palace in Riyadh. As a horse-mounted honour guard was escorting the Chinese and Saudi flags, Xi shook hands with the prince.

As sanctions against Russia for its involvement in the conflict in Ukraine get tougher, Chinese President Xi Jinping met with the king and crown prince of Saudi Arabia on Thursday while in the country. This strengthened ties with a region that is essential to China's energy supplies.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, King Salman's strong son who is poised to run the oil-rich country in the coming decades, welcomed Xi when she arrived at Al Yamama Palace in Riyadh. As a Saudi and Chinese flag-bearer on horseback carried the honour guard, Xi shook hands with the prince.