Xi Jinping's visit to Saudi Arabia brings pledge of increased oil trade

Chinese President Xi Jinping said during his visit to the kingdom that China is ready to increase the turnover of oil trade with Saudi Arabia. In this way, ties between the two countries have been strengthened. 

At a meeting in Riyadh on Thursday, Xi and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman also agreed to hold business meetings every two years. As Xinhua news agency concluded, the countries managed to upgrade their economic relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership. The Chinese leader will meet with other Arab leaders on Friday.

The summit comes amid strained relations between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia over oil policy.

China's foreign ministry said in a statement that the kingdom will seek to strengthen coordination with Saudi Arabia on energy policy and exploration. Thus, along with Russia, the country of the two shrines is a de facto leader of OPEC+, producing about half of the world's oil.