- Chinese President to Attend SCO Summit, Hold Bilateral Talks
BEIJING: Chinese President Xi Jinping will travel to Kyrgyzstan and Egypt from Sunday, attending a regional summit in Bishkek and holding state visits aimed at strengthening diplomatic and economic ties, China’s Foreign Ministry said Wednesday.
The tour will run through September 3 and marks Xi’s second overseas trip of the year, following his visit to North Korea in June.
Egypt Visit to Focus on Regional Peace and Stability
During his visit to Egypt, Xi is expected to meet President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi for talks focused on regional security and stability.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said the discussions would seek to make “a positive contribution to safeguarding peace and stability in the region.”
Xi’s visit comes amid heightened tensions between Iran and the United States, with the conflict spilling across the Middle East and disrupting shipping through the strategically important Strait of Hormuz. The disruption has also affected global oil markets.
China maintains significant economic ties with the Middle East, which was previously its largest source of crude oil imports before the conflict intensified.
The state visit will be Xi’s first trip to Egypt in a decade. Lin described the visit as carrying “special significance” for the further development of bilateral relations.
Xi to Attend Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit
In Kyrgyzstan, Xi will participate in a summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), alongside leaders from other member states, including Russia and Iran.
The summit is expected to provide an opportunity for discussions on regional security, economic cooperation and broader diplomatic relations among member countries.
Xi will also hold talks with Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov, with the two leaders expected to discuss ways to expand mutually beneficial cooperation and promote high-quality development between the two countries.
China Seeks Greater Diplomatic Engagement
Xi’s regional tour comes at a time of heightened geopolitical uncertainty, particularly in the Middle East. His meetings in Egypt and Kyrgyzstan are expected to underscore Beijing’s efforts to deepen diplomatic engagement and strengthen economic partnerships with key regional partners.
The trip also highlights China’s continued focus on multilateral cooperation through the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and its expanding strategic interests in the Middle East.
BY: The Times Union
