Beijing: China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi will embark on a diplomatic tour to the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan this week, marking a significant engagement in the Middle East. The official announcement mentioned that the five-day visit is set to commence on Friday, with the first destination being Abu Dhabi. This visit is upon the invitation extended by UAE's Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
According to Anadolu Agency, following his visit to the UAE, Wang Yi will proceed to Riyadh, where he will meet with Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud. The Chinese Foreign Ministry highlighted that the regional tour will conclude with a visit to Amman, Jordan, at the invitation of Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi. China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Guo Jiakun, emphasized the longstanding friendly relations Beijing shares with these nations.
During the meetings, Wang Yi is expected to engage in discussions on enhancing bilateral ties, regional matters in the Middle East, and other mutual interests. The agenda aims to strengthen political trust, improve collaborative efforts, and elevate bilateral relations. Guo indicated that discussions will also include preparations for the second China-Arab states summit, which Beijing is set to host next year, following the first summit held in Riyadh in 2022.
The timing of Wang's visit coincides with ongoing international efforts led by Israel and the United States to establish a "Board of Peace" (BoP) in the Gaza Strip, following recent conflicts. The conflict resulted in significant casualties and injuries since October 2023, with a ceasefire currently in place since October 10. However, the ceasefire has seen multiple violations in recent months.
US President Donald Trump announced plans for a global leaders' board to be unveiled early in the upcoming year, which is a vital part of the ceasefire agreement for Gaza. The United Nations Security Council, last month, endorsed a US-drafted resolution for a transitional BoP and an International Stabilization Force (ISF) to manage governance and security in Gaza until the end of 2027, with China and Russia abstaining from the vote. Beijing maintains that any resolution for Gaza's future governance should adhere to the principle of Palestinian self-determination and support a two-state solution.