Chinese President Xi Jinping (L) is awarded with Abdulaziz Medal by Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud after their talks in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Jan. 19, 2016. (Photo: Xinhua/Ju Peng)
Chinese President Xi Jinping returned home Sunday after wrapping up a historic trip to Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Iran with a broad consensus and 52 cooperation agreements set to deepen Beijing's constructive engagement with the struggling yet promising region.[Special Coverage]
The fruitful five-day Middle East tour, which filled up Xi's global footprint, has once again testified to the Asian giant's commitment to promoting peace and development around the world and building a new type of international relations featuring win-win cooperation.
UPGRADE POLITICAL TIES
The visit, summarized Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Saturday, was a successful stroke of diplomacy that deepened China's traditional friendship and practical cooperation with the three countries and the region as a whole, and contributed to regional reconciliation, peace and development.
During Xi's trip, China upgraded its relationship with both Saudi Arabia and Iran to a comprehensive strategic partnership, and vowed to work together with Egypt to add more values to their comprehensive strategic partnership.
Regional organizations, including the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC) and the Arab League (AL), also applauded Xi's visit and voiced their readiness to cement mutual trust and broaden win-win cooperation with China.
AL Secretary General Nabil al-Arabi said China has always stood with the developing world, adding that the Arab world is willing to work closely with China in political, economic as well as other sectors for mutual benefit.
BOOST WIN-WIN COOPERATION
The Belt and Road Initiative, an ambitious vision Xi put forward in 2013 to boost inter-connectivity and common development along the ancient land and maritime Silk Roads, has gained more support and popularity during Xi's trip.
