Maneuvering minefields: China’s Xi contemplates visiting Saudi Arabia

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi hit all the right cords when he spoke virtually with his Saudi counterpart, Prince Faisal Bin Farhan, at a meeting of the China-Saudi Arabia High-Level Joint Committee last month.

Mr. Wang's praise of the kingdom came amid Saudi reports, yet to be confirmed by China, of a pending visit by President Xi Jinping to the kingdom before the end of the year.

The Saudi reports did not mention the Chinese leader stopping in other countries, particularly Iran.

The reports' focus on the kingdom and Mr. Wang's remarks boosted Saudi hopes that Beijing may abandon its balancing act between Saudi Arabia and the Islamic republic.