Xi's visit highlights China's new Middle East role
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E-mail China.org.cn, March 22, 2016
The five-day Middle East visit of Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Iran by Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Chinese president, produced a broad consensus and a slew of cooperation agreements to deepen constructive engagement with the crisis-bound region.
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Chinese President Xi Jinping (L) is awarded with Abdulaziz Medal by Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud after their talks in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Jan. 19. |
It adds depth to Xi's global footprint and more links in China's westward opening strategy and desire for partners in the Middle East.
Upgrade relations
Saudi Arabia became the first Arab country Xi visited in his presidential capacity. It was also the first visit by China's head of state in seven years. In honor of the occasion, Saudi Arabia sent four fighter jets to escort the presidential plane when it entered the country's airspace.
Xi and Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud agreed to elevate bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership, with the establishment of a high-level committee to guide and coordinate bilateral cooperation.
The visit to Egypt was the first by a Chinese head of state in 12 years. The two sides are celebrating the 60th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic ties in 2016.
In a gesture of hospitality, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi sent eight fighter jets to escort Xi's plane when it entered the Arab country's airspace. The president himself was also at the airport to receive Xi. The two sides signed a five-year outline document to further advance their relationship and boost cooperation.
Meanwhile, China and Iran agreed to elevate their ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership, boosting cooperation on all fronts and carrying forward a millennia-old friendship. An annual meeting mechanism between their foreign ministers will be set up as a part of the efforts to deepen mutual strategic trust.
Consensus on a broad range of issues was achieved during Xi's visit to Iran, the first in 14 years by a Chinese head of state. It comes soon after the Iranian nuclear issue was resolved in which China played a constructive role in the lead-up negotiations.
Regional organizations, including the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC) and the Arab League (AL), have also voiced their readiness to cement mutual trust and broaden win-win cooperation with China.
"This is Xi's first overseas visit this year, which not only shows the close relations between China and these countries, but is also manifest of China's attitude toward helping create an atmosphere of peace in the Middle East," said Han Fangming, deputy director of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and chairman of the Charhar Institute.
Enhance cooperation
The Belt and Road Initiative, an ambitious vision comprising the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, continually gained more support and popularity during Xi's tour.
The initiative is by no means China's solo performance, but a symphony of all the countries along the routes, as President Xi has often reiterated. Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Iran, given their unique geographical locations and rich historical connections with China, are natural partners for carrying out the initiative.
Xi and the leaders of the three nations agreed to align their national development blueprints and pursue mutually beneficial cooperation under the framework of the initiative.
China and Saudi Arabia signed a memorandum of understanding on industrial capacity cooperation, as well as a slew of cooperation deals covering sectors such as energy, communications, environment, culture, aerospace, and science and technology.
When meeting with the head of the GCC, Xi said China was willing to carry out energy cooperation with the GCC countries and be a long-term, stable and reliable energy market for the six-member bloc. The two sides also plan to conclude a comprehensive free trade agreement (FTA) within 2016.
In Egypt, Xi proposed that the two countries work together to build the Arab nation into a pivot of the Belt and Road. He suggested China and Egypt align their development strategies and visions and focus on cooperation on infrastructure construction and industrial capacity.
The two countries will also boost their cooperation in security, science and technology, culture, environmental protection, agriculture, energy, medicine and law-enforcement domains as well as global and regional affairs. Xi urged new patterns in financial cooperation through collaboration in the China-initiated Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank.
Promote development, security
The Middle East has been haunted by persistent turbulence and bloodshed that have claimed hundreds of thousands of lives and displaced many others.
Speaking at the Cairo-based Arab League headquarters, Xi stressed that the key to resolving differences is to enhance dialogue, while the key to overcoming difficulties is to promote development, and the key to choosing the right path is ensuring it suits the national conditions.
He unveiled a number of moves to improve livelihood, fight terrorism and promote regional development.
China will pledge 50 million yuan (US$7.53 million) to help improve the lives of the Palestinians and 230 million yuan (US$35 million) for Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya and Yemen as humanitarian assistance.
It also wants to promote Middle East industrialization. To achieve that goal, China will promote a number of loan programs, including a US$15 billion exclusive loan, a US$10 billion business lending, and US$10 billion in concessional loans so as to facilitate industrial capacity cooperation between China and the regional countries.
Meanwhile, China also prepares to work with the United Arab Emirates and Qatar to set up a common investment fund worth US$20 billion that focuses on traditional sources of energy in the Middle East, infrastructure, and high-end manufacturing.
President Xi also offered US$300 million for law enforcement cooperation and police training so as to help build up the abilities of the regional countries to maintain stability.
Prior to the presidential visit, China issued its first official Middle East Policy Paper, voicing hopes to bolster traditional friendly ties and all-round cooperation.
"China, as an important nation with no unfortunate historical baggage, is well placed to exercise a positive influence, and the world will be grateful for any resulting advances," wrote Tim Collard, a columnist with China.org.cn.
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