RIYADH/WASHINGTON (Dispatches) – Saudi Arabia is intensifying its engagement with China even as Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman prepares for a high-stakes visit to Washington, underscoring the kingdom’s complex balancing act between Beijing and Washington. 
Last week, Chinese Vice President Han Zheng concluded a five-day visit to Riyadh, meeting with the crown prince and outlining plans to elevate the China-Saudi comprehensive strategic partnership. 
Discussions focused on trade, investment, technology, renewable energy, and multilateral cooperation, reflecting Riyadh’s push to diversify its economic and diplomatic relationships.
Han’s visit highlighted China’s appeal as a long-term partner for economic growth and regional projects. Chinese officials emphasized innovation-driven development, green energy, and cooperation in emerging industries, framing Beijing as a reliable partner capable of supporting Saudi Arabia’s modernization agenda. 
Both sides also underscored closer coordination on global governance initiatives, cultural exchange, and people-to-people ties, signaling that China is increasingly central to Riyadh’s strategic calculations.
Yet Saudi Arabia’s ability to assert independence from the United States remains limited by the massive spending it has already made in Washington. 
The crown prince’s upcoming visit to the United States is expected to focus on high-value deals, including potential agreements on F-35 stealth fighters, civilian nuclear technology, and broader military cooperation. 
These commitments are the product of years of hefty U.S. arms purchases, training programs, and investment flows, creating a tether that Riyadh cannot easily sever.
While the kingdom has sought to expand ties with China, analysts note that it cannot afford to disengage from the United States entirely. The existing contracts, military acquisitions, and financial commitments effectively anchor Riyadh to Washington, even as it pursues a more diversified foreign policy. 
The dual-track approach reflects a pragmatic, if convoluted, strategy: leveraging China for economic growth and technological collaboration, while maintaining a measure of security and procurement ties with the United States.
Saudi Arabia’s maneuvering underscores the limits of its strategic autonomy. The crown prince must navigate public and international expectations, manage past investments, and continue pursuing modernization at home, all while balancing two major powers with competing interests. 
The upcoming Washington trip will be closely watched as a test of Riyadh’s ability to maintain this balance — deepening engagement with Beijing while remaining bound to the practical realities of its U.S. commitments.