China, Saudi Arabia sign strategic partnership agreement as Xi visits the Gulf

Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Wednesday for a visit that represents the increasing influence of Beijing in the once top United States ally in the Gulf.  Royal Saudi Air Force fighter jets escorted the visiting leader’s plane after it entered the country’s airspace. Upon landing, Xi received a ceremonial welcoming with a rolled-out carpet and was greeted by the governor of Riyadh and the Saudi minister of foreign affairs.  “Then