There was symbolism in the fact that petroleum and mineral resources minister Ali Bin Ibrahim Al-Naimi, for long the government’s most senior non-royal, was in Beijing as King Salman Bin Abdelaziz reshuffled his government and control of the oil industry, in moves which should have lasting impact on Saudi Arabian Oil Company (Saudi Aramco) and the industry pecking order (see page 1). The separation of Aramco from the oil ministry, and the appointment of Saudi Aramco chief executive Khalid Al-Falih as health minister and as the oil giant’s chairman triggered further speculation about Naimi’s future, which the veteran petroleum minister immediately side-stepped by focusing on relations with China, which could prove critical to the kingdom’s future economic health.
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