Foreign experts and media organizations have lauded Chinese President Xi Jinping's three-nation tour in the Middle East.[Special Coverage]
The visits to Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Iran, the first foreign trip by Xi in 2016, has substantially boosted China's relations with the three countries and significantly contributed to peace and stability in the region, they believed.
Xi's visit to Saudi Arabia has charted a clear roadmap for the future development of bilateral ties, Saudi state television's political commentator Abdula Majeed said, highlighting the signing of a raft of cooperation deals and the establishment of a high-level steering committee for bilateral cooperation.
A commentary carried by Saudi newspaper Alriyadh said that Xi's visit has created favorable conditions for the two countries to join hands so as to revive the ancient Silk Road, since Saudi Arabia is a regional power and major global energy supplier while China is a global player with significant political and economic influence.
Khalifa Assadah, executive director of the Qatar Media Company, told Xinhua that Xi's Middle East trip will definitely boost friendly ties between China and the three nations, inject fresh vigor into economic development in the region and contribute to the solution of various issues that have long troubled the region as well as the rest of the world.
After decades of development, China has become an economic giant and has a need to protect its economic interests in the Middle East, said Hazem Ahmed Hosni, professor of international relations at Cairo University.
Xi's visit marks a new chapter in China's Middle East policies, and the country is set to play a more active role in the region, added Hosni.
Ahmadi Mouhssin, professor of international relations at the Cadi Ayyad University in Morocco, said that Xi's Middle East trip brings hope for peace and development in the region. "His visit gives out a strong signal, especially his speech at the headquarters of the Arab League," Mouhssin said.
In his speech, Xi said that the key to resolving differences in the Middle East is to enhance dialogue and that the key to overcoming difficulties in the region is to promote development.
He also promised concrete measures to support development in the Middle East, including 15 billion dollars of exclusive loans, 10 billion dollars of commercial loans and 10 billion dollars of soft loans, as well as joint investment funds of 20 billion dollars.
Saad Ragragui, professor of international law with the Mohammed V. University in Morocco, said Xi's visit is of "particular importance" for Iran.
"China is Iran's largest trade partner and relations between the two countries will continue to grow within the framework of the 'Belt and Road' (initiative)," said Ragragui.
Oktay Tanrisever, professor of international relations in Middle East Technical University in Turkey, said: "The three countries Xi has visited represent different dynamics in the Middle East. ... They are not always on the same page but they are all major players in the region."
He noted that Xi's three-nation trip will not only bolster regional economic development, but also the global fight against
