Saudi-China Economic Ties Strengthen as Bilateral Trade Reaches $100 Billion

Saudi Arabia and China are experiencing a strong phase in their bilateral relations, with trade between the two countries reaching $100 billion in 2025, according to China’s Consul General in Jeddah Yang Yi.

Speaking to Al-Eqtisadiah, Yi said 2026 marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the comprehensive strategic partnership between Saudi Arabia and China. He described economic and trade relations between the two countries as strong despite regional tensions.

China is Saudi Arabia’s largest trading partner, while Saudi Arabia is China’s largest trading partner in the Middle East, Yi said.

Bilateral trade reached about $50 billion during the first half of 2026. China’s imports from Saudi Arabia exceeded $26 billion during the period, while Saudi Arabia imported about $24 billion worth of goods from China.

Yi described the trade relationship as “very balanced” and said economic ties have continued to expand. He pointed to growing cooperation between businesses in both countries as a sign of deeper commercial relations.

Chinese companies are also playing a major role in projects linked to Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 economic transformation program, according to Yi. He said China is among the leading countries contributing to infrastructure and new-energy projects in the Kingdom.

Chinese investment in Saudi Arabia has exceeded $4.26 billion, Yi said, while Saudi investment in China is also increasing. Areas of growing Saudi investment include new energy, advanced technologies and biotechnology.

Saudi companies are also expanding their interest in the Chinese market, while investments and cooperation have extended into sectors such as culture and education.

Yi said the development of bilateral relations has encouraged more Chinese companies to explore opportunities in Saudi Arabia. He expressed hopes that economic ties between the two countries would continue to produce greater trade and investment activity.

New energy, green energy and artificial intelligence have emerged as important areas for future cooperation. Yi said Saudi and Chinese officials have held discussions on these sectors in recent years, while government institutions, companies and research centers in both countries are working on joint opportunities.

The two countries’ leaders have also reached understandings aimed at strengthening cooperation across several fields, including artificial intelligence and new energy.

Yi also addressed developments involving the Strait of Hormuz, saying the waterway is important to countries across the region and the wider international community.

China supports a political settlement and an immediate ceasefire, he said, while calling for the Strait of Hormuz to remain open and free. According to Yi, maintaining the waterway would support regional stability, international trade and the continued flow of energy supplies.

He said China supports peaceful efforts to resolve the issue and maintain security in the region.