Saudi built a similar pipeline called Petroline. Originally it was coordinated with Iraq but I think the Iraq partners are negligible now. Another thing to remember is this pipeline was built largely by Aramsco (mostly Saudi owned) but the refineries are largely Chinese owned or financed by cooperation with the Saudis. Basically China has been strategically planning for alternative oil routes for years. I don’t think there’s any mystery as to why 🤷‍♂️