China Helping Saudi Arabia's Nuclear Program

Al Ula is a small city in northwest Saudi Arabia. The kingdom is said to be constructing a facility for extracting uranium yellowcake in a remote desert location in the city’s general vicinity. Photo: ahmed yosri/Reuters

Wall Street Journal: Saudi Arabia, With China’s Help, Expands Its Nuclear Program

Kingdom harbors hopes for a civilian nuclear power program, but U.S. critics worry about its ambitions for nuclear weapons

WASHINGTON—Saudi Arabia has constructed with Chinese help a facility for extracting uranium yellowcake from uranium ore, an advance in the oil-rich kingdom’s drive to master nuclear technology, according to Western officials with knowledge of the site.

The facility, which hasn’t been publicly disclosed, is in a sparsely populated area in Saudi Arabia’s northwest and has raised concern among U.S. and allied officials that the kingdom’s nascent nuclear program is moving ahead and that Riyadh is keeping open the option of developing nuclear weapons.

Even though Riyadh is still far from that point, the facility’s exposure appears certain to draw concern in the U.S. Congress, where a bipartisan group of lawmakers has expressed alarm about Saudi nuclear energy plans and about Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s 2018 vow that “if Iran developed a nuclear bomb, we will follow suit as soon as possible.”

It is also likely to cause consternation in Israel, where officials have warily monitored Saudi Arabia’s nuclear work.

The Saudi Energy Ministry said in a statement it “categorically denies” having built a uranium ore facility in the area described by some of the Western officials, adding that mineral extraction—including uranium—is a key part of the country’s economic diversification strategy.

The Saudi statement said the kingdom has contracted with the Chinese on uranium exploration in Saudi Arabia in certain areas. A spokesman declined to elaborate on the ministry’s statement.

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WNU Editor: China wants access to Saudi Arabia's energy resources, and Saudi Arabia wants China's nuclear expertise. Since the U.S. and the West are reluctant to help Saudi Arabia's energy program, Saudi Arabia is looking for other partners.

More News On China Helping Saudi Arabia's Nuclear Program

Saudi Arabia constructs facility for extracting uranium yellowcake: Report -- Middle East Eye
Saudi Arabia constructs uranium ore facility with help from China -- Middle East Monitor
Saudi Arabia has built yellowcake uranium processing plant: WSJ -- Al Jazeera

China Is The Most Vulnerable To A Saudi Oil Disruption

Tim Daiss, Asia Times: Saudi oil disruption could hit China hardest

Attacks on Saudi oil facilities have put China’s reliance on Gulf state oil imports into sharp relief

Saudi Arabia claims its oil production infrastructure, 60% of which was knocked off-stream in a pre-dawn drone attacks on September 14, will be running at full throttle again by month’s end, an assessment few energy industry analysts view as feasible.

While the Middle East waits to see how the US and Saudi Arabia ultimately respond to the attacks blamed on Iran, the impact on Asia’s oil markets is coming into clearer view, with China looking the most vulnerable to any prolonged disruption to Saudi supplies.

Saudi Arabia is the world’s largest oil exporter, the de facto leader of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) cartel and the world’s third largest crude oil producer after the US and Russia. The Asia-Pacific, home to some of the world’s largest net oil-importing nations, is increasingly dependent on Saudi oil to fuel their fast-growing economies.

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WNU Editor: China's oil consumption runs around 12 million barrels of oil per day of which than 10% (if not more) is dependent on Saudi oil imports. Any hit on this supply would have a profound impact on China's economy. all but guaranteeing zero if any economic growth.

Chinese Drones Spotted At Saudi Airbase Near The Yemen Border

Center For The Study Of The Drone: Drone Bases Updates

Sharurah, Saudi Arabia

A satellite image from October 31, 2016 shows that multiple strike drones have been deployed to Sharurah Regional Airport in Najran Province, Saudi Arabia, near the border with Yemen. The image, which was accessed on Google Earth, shows three Chinese-made CAIG Wing Loong (also known as Pterodactyl) medium-altitude long-endurance surveillance and strike drones. The image also shows multiple manned aircraft and, as well as new construction to accommodate the increased military presence. The drones likely belong to the Saudi military, although the United Arab Emirates also flies the Wing Loong and is suspected of operating drones from Saudi air bases. The number of Wing Loong drones in the image suggests that the Chinese-made drones are playing a larger role in the Saudi-led air campaign over Yemen than previously believed.

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WNU Editor: This deployment of Chinese drones makes one wonder on how deep is Chinese - Saudi military cooperation.

How The CIA Helped The Saudis In Developing Their Own Ballistic Missile Program With Chinese Help

DongFeng 21 (CSS-5) Medium-Range Ballistic Missile. Defence.pk

Exclusive: CIA Helped Saudis in Secret Chinese Missile Deal -- Jeff Stein, Newsweek

Saudi Arabia has long been a back-room player in the Middle East's nuclear game of thrones, apparently content to bankroll the ambitions of Pakistan and Iraq (under Saddam Hussein) to counter the rise of its mortal enemy, Iran.

But as the West and Iran have moved closer to a nuclear accommodation, signs are emerging that the monarchy is ready to give the world a peek at a new missile strike-force of its own-which has been upgraded with Washington's careful connivence.

According to a well-placed intelligence source, Saudi Arabia bought ballistic missiles from China in 2007 in a hitherto unreported deal that won Washington's quiet approval on condition that CIA technical experts could verify they were not designed to carry nuclear warheads.

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My Comment: I am surprised that the Chinese were willing to sell these missiles. I guess they want to develop better ties with Saudi Arabia as well as getting some quid pro quo on their oil.

Will China Help Saudi Arabia Go Nuclear?

On May 17, 2013, Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal at the Great Hall of the People. Chinese Embassy

Will Beijing Help Riyadh Go Nuclear? -- China Policy Institute Blog/Nottingham University

As negotiations between the West and Iran over Tehran’s nuclear program reach a critical juncture, those most likely to be directly effected by an “Iranian bomb” are showing greater alarm. While the media fixates on Israel and its possible reaction, other regional players have no less at stake.

Despite Riyadh’s long-held advocacy of making the Middle East a zone free of weapons of mass destruction, there has recently been much speculation regarding the possibility of its acquiring or developing nuclear weapons should Tehran obtain the bomb. In the words of King Abdullah: “If Iran developed nuclear weapons … everyone in the region would do the same”. The question that arises here, if Saudi Arabia decided to go nuclear, would China help the Kingdom?

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My Comment: China has the means and technology to fulfill Saudi Arabia's nuclear ambitions .... Saudi Arabia has the oil to feed China's insatiable hunger for more energy. I call this a perfect match in hell .... the question that remains to be answered is .... does China have the political will to make such a deal, and is Saudi Arabia willing to go down this road. My prediction .... if Iran tests a nuclear device, expect Saudi Arabia to follow suit (with Chinese help) very quickly.

Hat Tip: Real Clear Defense for this lead.

China Wants Non-Iranian Oil

China's Wen Presses Saudi Arabia For Oil Access -- Voice of America

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao arrived in Saudi Arabia Saturday on the first leg of a diplomatic mission that will also take him to Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.

China's official Xinhua news agency said that, in a meeting Saturday with Interior Minister Prince Nayef bin Abdul-Aziz, Wen pressed Saudi Arabia to open its huge oil and gas resources to expanded Chinese investment.

The kingdom's SPA news agency said Saudi state oil giant Aramco signed a deal Saturday with China's Sinopec to build an oil refinery in the Red Sea city of Yanbu that will process 400,000 barrels per day.

Wen arrived in Riyadh after a short visit to Nepal on the same day.

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More News On China Seeking Alternative (And Additional) Oil Supplies

Chinese Visit to Saudi Arabia Touches on Oil and Politics -- New York Times
Asian leaders move to secure oil supplies -- Financial Times
China, Saudi sign energy deals during Wen visit -- AFP
China's Wen presses Saudi Arabia for oil access -- Reuters
China’s Wen Visits Middle East Amid Energy Concerns -- Voice of America
Iran Tops Agenda as Chinese Chief Visits Gulf -- The Media Line
Kingdom, China agree to bolster strategic ties -- Arab News
Wen in oil talks with S. Arabia as US tightens Iran sanctions -- Oman Tribune
With sanctions and threats, Beijing ready to cut Tehran loose -- Asia News

My Comment: Oil and energy supplies are China's Achilles heel.

Did China Sell Nuclear Missile Technology To Saudi Arabia?

Visiting Chinese President Hu Jintao (L) talks with Saudi Arabian King Abdullah bin Abdul-Aziz during their meeting in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Feb. 10, 2009. (Xinhua/Rao Aimin)

Former CIA Analyst Alleges China-Saudi Nuclear Deal -- Spy Talk/Washington Post

A former CIA officer who managed intelligence reports on Saudi Arabia has sent an uncleared manuscript to congressional offices claiming that China supplied nuclear missiles to the kingdom early in the George W. Bush administration.

“I believe the People’s Republic of China delivered a turn-key nuclear ballistic missile system to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia over the course of several years beginning no later than December 2003,” writes Jonathan Scherck in a self-published book, “Patriot Lost,” which he provided to SpyTalk on Monday.

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Update #1: China Sold Nuclear Missiles to Saudi Arabia, Ex-CIA Officer Claims -- Global Security Newswire
Update #2: Saudi Missile Claims -- Arms Control Wonk

My Comment: China sells missile weapon systems/technology to Saudi Arabia .... I say .... so what. Saudi Arabia wants to upgrade their missile stock .... why not buy from the Chinese who are probably selling them at a good price. As to selling nuclear weapons technology .... I doubt that the Chinese would even contemplate doing that, let alone selling it with their nuclear capable missiles.

Then again .... I guess I will have to wait for Jonathan Scherck's book.