Chinese president concludes three-nation Middle East tour

World Today

Chinese President Xi Jinping is back in Beijing, after a fruitful tour of the Middle East. Xi wrapped-up his trip to Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Iran. Dozens of agreements were signed to deepen China’s engagement with the region.

CCTV’s Su Yuting rounds up the highlights of a very busy week.

President Xi Jinping’s first foreign tour of the new year brought him to three countries in five days.

Saudi Arabia was the first leg of the tour, then onto Egypt in North Africa, before stopping in Iran on the way back to China. Xi’s visits have cemented political trust and strengthened economic links with these countries.

In Saudi Arabia, President Xi and King Salman upgraded their countries’ relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership. Saudi Arabia is China’s biggest oil supplier, and Xi attended the opening ceremony of the joint venture Yasref oil refinery — China’s largest investment project in the region.

Xi’s time in Egypt coincided with the 60th anniversary of the establishment of their bilateral ties. The two sides signed a five-year outlining document to further advance their relationship.

At the headquarters of the Arab League in the Egyptian capital, Cairo, he also delivered a speech outlining China’s policy in the Middle East.

In Tehran, Iran and China underscored the need for cooperation in the areas of energy, interconnectivity, industrial capacity and finance. Seventeen agreements were signed, including a Memorandum of Understanding on jointly pursuing the Belt and Road initiative.


Commentator Victor Gao on Xi Jinping’s Middle East visit

CCTV America’s Susan Roberts interviewed China current affairs commentator Victor Gao about the impact of Xi Jinping’s Middle East visit.