Saudi, China increase security cooperation

Special forces from China and Saudi Arabia have held their first joint anti-terrorism drills, state media reported yesterday, in China’s latest effort to expand security ties with countries in the Middle East and its Muslim neighbours.

China says its companies and citizens face a growing threat from terrorism as its global footprint expands, and the government has been getting more involved diplomatically in trouble spots in areas such as the Middle East.

President Xi Jinping visited Saudi Arabia early this year, vowing to expand security cooperation and oppose terrorism.

Twenty five operatives from each nation took part in training over two weeks from 10 October focusing on anti-terrorism combat skills and tactics near China’s southwestern city of Chongqing, the People’s Liberation Army Daily said.

“This joint anti-terrorism training is directed at raising the two militaries’ ability to combat terrorism and unconventional security threats,” the paper said.

Chinese officials have long been concerned that instability in Afghanistan will spill over into China’s western region of Xinjiang, home to the Muslim Uyghur people. China may be appearing to be closer to Muslim countries like Saudi Arabia to reduce international condemnation of its treatment of the Uyghurs.

Hundreds of people have died in Xinjiang, called East Turkestan by Uyghurs, in recent years in unrest the government blames on militant separatists.

Meanwhile, Uyghur activists say that China discriminates against them, including banning them from fasting Ramadan or wearing religious clothing. Uyghurs also complain of arbitrary detentions and extrajudicial killings.

Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, is diversifying its international partners after perceptions that the United States is pivoting towards a closer relationship with rival Iran. The US’ nuclear deal with the Shia theocracy has unsettled the Sunni Saudi monarchy, one of Washington’s main allies in the region.