Saudi Arabia strengthens ties with China by joining security bloc.

Saudi Arabia has joined the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) as an official dialogue partner, following in the footsteps of Iran, which became a full member in September. The SCO is an economic and security bloc that includes China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. Saudi Arabia's move is part of its strategy to diversify its major power relations and complement its ties with the West. The decision comes amid a wave of diplomatic initiatives in the Middle East bringing regional powers closer to China and Russia, and just weeks after a China-brokered deal to resume Iran-Saudi diplomatic ties.