Saudi diplomacy tastes diplomatic change

Editor's Note: Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman will visit China on Thursday and Friday as part of his Asia tour, which has taken him to Pakistan and India earlier. Why is the Saudi crown prince visiting China now? And how can China and Saudi Arabia strengthen ties? Four experts share their views on the issue with China Daily's Liu Jianna. Excerpts follow:

Reflecting Riyadh's eastward policy

Ma Xiaolin, a professor of Middle Eastern studies at Beijing Foreign Studies University