China Xi Jinping Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman
Chinese President Xi Jinping with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh in December 2022.
  • Middle Eastern countries, including long-time US partners, are buying more Chinese weapons.
  • US officials have warned that Chinese-made weapons can't be used alongside US-made hardware.
  • China isn't offering direct alternatives to what the US is selling, but Washington is still wary.

US officials are warning about Chinese arms sales in the Middle East, saying they could undermine the US military's ability to integrate with its partners in the region.