Riyadh joined the Shanghai Cooperation Organization on Wednesday, despite U.S. security concerns.
State news agency SPA said Saudi Arabia accepted a memorandum awarding SCO conversation partner status to the nation.
SCO members include China, India, and Russia.
The organization, founded in 2001 by Russia, China, and former Soviet governments in Central Asia, has added India and Pakistan to resist Western influence.
Iran signed full membership paperwork last year.
Reuters sources said Chinese President Xi Jinping considered joining the SCO in Saudi Arabia in December.
They started the organization and would initially offer the kingdom dialogue partner status before full membership in the midterm.
On Tuesday, Saudi Aramco (2222. S.E.) finalized a northeast China joint venture and acquired a share in a privately held petrochemical business, raising its multi-billion dollar investment in China.
Washington, Riyadh’s longtime ally, worries about its expanding relations with China. Washington believes China’s global influence will not impact Middle East policy.
Saudi Arabia and other Gulf governments are worried about the U.S.’s retreat from the area and are diversifying relationships. However, Washington pledges continued regional engagement.
In August, the organization’s members will perform a “counter-terrorism exercise” in Chelyabinsk, Russia.
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