In 2017, the original Crown Prince was stripped of his crown for the second time by Saudi King Salman who then supported his own son as the successor to his throne. The new Crown Prince launched a series of reform and open-up initiatives after assuming office. In order to reduce the dependence on the oil industry, the reform is oriented towards multiple fields, among others, finance sector and tourism are embraced, with new scenic spots increasingly developed. There also introduce a lot of changes to social policies, in which the prohibition on cameras for as long as 35 years has been lifted by approving the establishment of movie theatres and inviting guests to watch films, an important milestone of the open-up policy.

On April 19, 2018, on my way from Bahrain to Riyadh, I received a call from the Chinese Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Mr. Li Huaxin, who asked if I was interested in participating in the second film show that night. I certainly would not like to miss such a special and rare experience, so I changed my route and went to the first Saudi cinema operated by the American film chain AMC. Although the surrounding facilities of the cinema were not perfect, even the road signs were not clear, which made me travel an unnecessary long way, I still caught up with the film screening.

The film played that day was Black Panther of Marvel series. Although only a few people attended, the film itself was not the point but the momentous significance of showing the film. To my great surprise, the cinema didn’t impose restrictions on the participation of women, and the females I met that day didn’t wear veils to cover their faces. They also appeared poised and dignified when others took pictures of them. Their excitement and expectations to these changes were obviously lit up on their faces.

Saudi's rigid and inactive system is being broken step by step, and the veil of mystery has been slowly lifted. During this journey, I can deeply feel the changes in Saudi Arabia. In the past, for example, officials always looked serious when we passed customs, but this time their attitude became quite good and kind; men and women used to go separately during customs clearance, and this time they started to be able to line up together, although women still had to dress decently and cover a black robe. The opening up of society also allows for equal rights for women. Permitting women to drive is a major step forward in promoting equality, but I have not yet seen female drivers on the road.

At the same time, I have also found that the number of local religious police has reduced compared to my first visit, and the existence of the religious police has become a problem to be dug into with social atmosphere, common practice and ethos progressively improved. I believe that if reform and open-up continue, in the foreseeable future, perhaps the religious police will eventually be abolished.

Before the completion of this book, there was a piece of negative news that a journalist who had long criticized the Saudi government and the royal family was killed in Turkey, and the case was wildly believed to have the Saudi Crown Prince involved. The Saudi Crown Prince, while making sweeping changes, has become a controversial figure because of his hand in removing dissidents.

The entire world is now adapting a wait-and-see attitude in whether the Saudi Crown Prince can defuse the impact of this negative news, resist the opposition of conservative forces, and continue the pace of reform and open up. From my personal point of view, I certainly hope that changes will continue. As compared to the original rigid and conservative governance, today's changes are positive. The Saudis are expected to look forward firmly and continue their open policy, even though it will inevitably be a bitter struggle against long-established practices and conservative traditions, the path paved with all kinds of hardships.

Tang Yu Lap

Hantec Honorary Advisor