China looking to expand presence in Middle East

Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to the key countries of the Middle East - Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Iran - due in late January is a serious bid to expand China’s geopolitical presence in this region.

According to the People’s Daily newspaper, "the document announced by the Chinese government on January 13 on China’s policy towards the Arab countries as the first document on this issue represents an ambitious plan for the mutually beneficial cooperation between China and the Arab countries."

During the visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Iran, the Chinese leader will be accompanied by the economic delegation that will include around 100 heads of state corporations linked to natural resources.