Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman's current visit to six Asian countries amid complex circumstances in the international and regional arenas is of importance at all political and economic levels. It includes four Muslim countries and two economic giants, one of whom is an economic superpower. These countries are strong on their transformation agenda, with development being their underlying strategy. In a few decades, they have grown to be giant economies, moving away from dependence solely on agriculture and fishery. King Salman launches a new era of partnerships with the East on the political and economic fronts. Being the leader of the Muslim world, the prime mover of the Islamic antiterrorism coalition, an Arab power, and a G20 member, Saudi Arabia is itself on the threshold of a transformation, based on the National Transformation Program 2020 and the Saudi Vision 2030. The Vision seeks to pave the way for prosperity through a well-defined strategy. It will definitely figure at talks during the royal tour. The Kingdom enjoys strong relations with most East Asian countries. While Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei and Maldives deem Saudi Arabia as their big sister, the protector of the Two Holy Mosques and caretaker of pilgrims, Umrah performers and visitors to the Holy Shrines, Saudi Arabia is a historic friend and strategic partner to China and Japan. Moreover, it is a reliable power in a world that shows all signs of slipping into political tensions and economic uncertainties.
