Xi's visit a reflection of China's commitment to Middle East peace
- By He Wenping
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E-mail China.org.cn, January 24, 2016
Concerning the Syrian crisis that has lasted more than four years, China in recent years has actively promoted the process of a political settlement of the issue within the UN framework. Recently, it invited Syrian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem and the President of the opposition to the Syrian National Coalition (SNC) Khaled Khoja to visit China separately in pushing for an implementation of the draft resolution on the Syrian peace process adopted unanimously by the United Nations at the end of last year.
China's commitment to regional peace in the Middle East is also reflected in its promotion of the "Belt and Road" initiative to promote economic development in the region. As a traffic pivot which connects Europe with Asia and Africa, the Middle East has witnessed commercial prosperity brought by the ancient Silk Road. It now lies directly in the "Belt and Road" region.
During President Xi's Middle East visit, the three countries are all taking a welcoming attitude toward the "Belt and Road" initiative. Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Iran are founding members of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB). They consider the dock of their own development strategy with the "Belt and Road" initiative to be an important historical opportunity for future economic development of their country.
The Egyptian government has recently started the New Suez Canal project to dock with China's "Belt and Road" initiative, planning to develop the region into a global economic area connecting Asia and Africa. Saudi Arabia launched its new "Five-Year Plan" in 2016 to encourage the diversity of its economy. Iran, after the economic sanctions have been lifted, will usher in an unprecedented opportunity for economic development.
In short, regardless of the historical and religious effects, economic development, peaceful dialogue and harmony are always a common pursuit of the Middle Eastern countries. China is both willing and able to contribute to the process.
He Wenping is a researcher and director of African Research at the Institute of West Asian and African Studies, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.
The article was first published in Chinese and translated by Li Huiru.
Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors only, not necessarily those of China.org.cn.
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