Saudi Arabia seeks Chinese tech as it reinvents itself as car and automation hub

Saudi minister of industry to visit Guangzhou and Hong Kong on week-long East Asia tour to boost ties and explore joint ventures

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Saudi industry and mineral resources minister’s key meetings in the southern Chinese mega city of Guangzhou will include talks with representatives from GAC Group, a major Chinese electric vehicle maker. Photo: Weibo/ GAC

Published: 6:00pm, 1 Sep 2024Updated: 4:13pm, 9 Sep 2024

Saudi Arabia is seeking cooperation with Chinese companies in the car sector and automation as a top industrial official kicks off a tour of East Asia this week.

Saudi industry and mineral resources minister Bandar Al-khorayef is leading a delegation to visit Guangzhou, Hong Kong and Singapore from Sunday until September 8, according to a statement from his office. The trip is aimed at improving relations and exploring joint venture opportunities.

China and Saudi Arabia have strengthened ties in recent years while their relations with the United States have soured. Riyadh is looking to diversify its economy and become an industrial hub in the Middle East, while the region is gaining appeal for Chinese companies that want to explore overseas markets in the face of growing containment by the US.

“The visit of the delegation to China aligns with [the country’s] objective to become a key automotive hub in the region and a leader in innovative [and] eco-friendly vehicle solutions,” Khorayef’s office said.

Key meetings in Guangzhou, capital of the southern Chinese province of Guangdong, will include discussions with GAC Group, a major electric vehicle (EV) maker, as well as lithium battery producer General Lithium and communication tech giant Huawei, the statement said.

Saudi Arabian industry and mineral resources minister Bandar Al-khorayef’s visit to Guangzhou, Hong Kong and Singapore is aimed at improving relations and exploring joint venture opportunities. Photo: Handout

Chinese EV makers are facing punitive tariffs from the European Union and the US, which have accused China of flooding their markets with subsidised EVs that pose a national security risk with their “connected” car technology.