BEIJING: China’s Premier Li Qiang will visit Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) this week and China’s foreign ministry said on Monday.
From September 10 to 13 Premier Li Qiang will go to Saudi Arabia to lead a meeting between China and Saudi Arabia and visit both Saudi Arabia and the UAE said ministry spokesperson Mao Ning.
China which also produces oil has been buying oil from the Middle East for a long time and is trying to increase its influence there.
China says its top diplomat, Wang Yi,will visit Russia this week.
Last year China helped Saudi Arabia and Iran improve their relations.
China tries to stay neutral on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and supports a two-state solution while maintaining good relations with Israel unlike the United States.
China also sees the Middle East as an important part of its Belt and Road initiative which aims to increase China’s influence around the world.
