President Xi Jinping’s state visits to Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Iran from Jan. 19 to 23 marked China’s first major diplomatic event in 2016. Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Iran have great influence in the Middle East, and Xi’s visits coincided with the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Egypt as well as between China and the Arab countries. Xi’s visits will enhance the friendly, mutually beneficial cooperation and cultural exchanges between China and the three nations.

The past year has seen the prevailing trends of peace and stability as well as intertwined confrontations and frequent turbulence. The impact of the financial crisis continued to linger, and lack of coordination among the macroeconomic policies of different nations has brought hidden risks. Moreover, rampant terrorism and the refugee crisis in Europe led to turmoil in the West, thus posing severe challenges to modern civilizations.

Xi’s visits to the three Middle Eastern countries represent an effort to calm the volatile waters of international politics and lend a strong impetus to sluggish world economic growth.

The competition among great powers for the vast oil and mineral wealth of the Middle East has made the region a hotbed of conflict. Invited by the leaders of the three countries, Xi is touring the region during a time of rising tension,demonstrating the responsible image of China as well as its confidence and courage in building a community with a common future.
 

China is a common friend of Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Iran. Xi’s Middle East tour will deepen the relations between China and the three nations while promoting cooperation among major countries in the region. On the basis of the “Belt and Road” and the Framework on International Production Capacity Cooperation, China’s mediation efforts will help enhance economic ties, strengthen mutual communication and build common ground. This will in turn contribute to the construction of a new type of international relations based on cooperation and mutual benefit.

During Xi’s visits to Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Iran, China and the three countries signed 52 cooperation agreements covering a wide range of issues, including energy, security and infrastructure.
 

This shows that China is proactively contributing its intelligence and solutions, which can also be proven by its efforts in the past year. Furthermore, at the beginning of this year, China joined the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development to promote cooperation in development strategies of China and Europe. And the opening of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank will inject vitality into the reform of global governance and regional economic growth.

The purpose is to promote development in less-developed areas, help some nations overcome turmoil, facilitate dialogue between civilizations, settle differences, and eradicate the roots of extremism and epidemics. China would like to join hands with the international community to push forward the establishment of a fair, harmonious international order based on cooperation and mutual benefit, and drive for sustainable global development.
 
 

The article was translated from People’s Daily. Luo Yuze is a research fellow from the Development Research Center of the State Council.