While strengthening position in Middle East, China to invite Israel, Palestinians for talks
The comment on the invitation was made by Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who started an official tour of the Middle East on Wednesday. The senior diplomat will visit Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Iran, the UAE, Bahrain and Oman
Mandi Kogosowski
| 25/03/2021
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Photo from the website of the Foreign Ministry of the People's Republic of China
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Wednesday in an interview that the Chinese government intends to invite Israel and the Palestinians for talks, according to a report by the Al-Arabiya TV network. The senior diplomat started an official tour of the Middle East on Wednesday, with Saudi Arabia as the first stop. Afterwards he will visit Turkey, Iran, the UAE, Bahrain and Oman.
The website of the China Daily newspaper, which is owned by the publication department of the Chinese communist party, and is published in English, reported that the tour "is set to demonstrate Beijing's readiness to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation with the countries of the region and responsible attitude regarding security and stability in the Middle East."
During the last few years, in the framework of President Xi Jinping's "Belt and Road Initiative", China is increasing its presence in the Middle East and North Africa, and is trying to position itself as a leading power in the region and as a significant economic and geopolitical force (in this context it should be noted that the port being built in Haifa these days will be operated by a Chinese company), especially in light of the difficult relations and global competition with the US. China needs a stable Middle East for the supply of its oil and trade needs.
According to reports in the Chinese media, Wang will meet President Erdogan in Turkey and discuss bilateral relations and regional agendas with him (it should be mentioned that Turkey is also taking action to expand its influence in the Middle East, the eastern Mediterranean and North Africa). Later during the tour a meeting is planned in Tehran with Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and with President Hassan Rouhani "to discuss the strategy to strengthen partnership and exchange views on regional and international issues."
The comment on the invitation was made by Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who started an official tour of the Middle East on Wednesday. The senior diplomat will visit Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Iran, the UAE, Bahrain and Oman
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Photo from the website of the Foreign Ministry of the People's Republic of China
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Wednesday in an interview that the Chinese government intends to invite Israel and the Palestinians for talks, according to a report by the Al-Arabiya TV network. The senior diplomat started an official tour of the Middle East on Wednesday, with Saudi Arabia as the first stop. Afterwards he will visit Turkey, Iran, the UAE, Bahrain and Oman.
The website of the China Daily newspaper, which is owned by the publication department of the Chinese communist party, and is published in English, reported that the tour "is set to demonstrate Beijing's readiness to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation with the countries of the region and responsible attitude regarding security and stability in the Middle East."
During the last few years, in the framework of President Xi Jinping's "Belt and Road Initiative", China is increasing its presence in the Middle East and North Africa, and is trying to position itself as a leading power in the region and as a significant economic and geopolitical force (in this context it should be noted that the port being built in Haifa these days will be operated by a Chinese company), especially in light of the difficult relations and global competition with the US. China needs a stable Middle East for the supply of its oil and trade needs.
According to reports in the Chinese media, Wang will meet President Erdogan in Turkey and discuss bilateral relations and regional agendas with him (it should be mentioned that Turkey is also taking action to expand its influence in the Middle East, the eastern Mediterranean and North Africa). Later during the tour a meeting is planned in Tehran with Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and with President Hassan Rouhani "to discuss the strategy to strengthen partnership and exchange views on regional and international issues."
