Saudi Arabia is considering China’s bid to develop a nuclear power plant in the country, after being frustrated with the US’ many stipulations for supporting its bid to acquire nuclear power, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported.
China-US Tug of War in Saudi
According to unnamed Saudi officials cited by the newspaper, the China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) — a state-owned firm — has proposed the plant’s construction near Saudi Arabia’s border with Qatar and the UAE.
US President Joe Biden’s administration has imposed several conditions on aiding Riyadh’s nascent nuclear industry, such as commitments not to enrich uranium or mine their own uranium deposits.
However, the newspaper said that China is unlikely to impose such restrictions that intend to curb the proliferation of nuclear weapons, as it seeks to strengthen its influence in the Middle East.
Saudi officials speaking to the paper acknowledged that exploring the deal with China was also intended to pressure the Biden Administration to compromise on its nonproliferation requirements.
Saudi Arabia is in talks with China to price some of its oil sales to China in Yuan.
— Moe (@moneyacademyKE) March 15, 2022
Move likely to debt dollar dominance of the global petroleum market.
Saudis are angry over US lack of support for their intervention in Yemen civil war and Iran nuclear deal.
— WSJ
However, officials added that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) is also prepared to seal the deal with China soon if talks with the US reach an impasse.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry said that the country will continue to cooperate with the kingdom in civil nuclear energy while abiding by international nonproliferation rules.
US-Saudi Ties
Picking Beijing’s bid over Washington’s will mark a major geopolitical shift for Riyadh, from its once solid pro-US stance.
More recently, US-Saudi ties have taken a hit after Washington raised concerns about human rights abuses in the Kingdom and blamed MBS for the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
The US also removed its Patriot missile defence system from Saudi Arabia in September 2021. Experts have noted that the move was seen by Riyadh as Washington abandoning a strategic ally, especially at a time when Yemen’s Houthi rebels have increased missile and drone attacks on Saudi facilities.
In the same year, Saudi Arabia was reportedly manufacturing ballistic missiles with the help of China, US intelligence agencies said.
Following this, last March, it was reported that the oil-rich nation is considering the prospect of pricing oil sales to China in Yuan instead of the US Dollar.