China to Host Arab Leaders, Including Egyptian President, for Cooperation Forum

China’s Foreign Ministry announced that Beijing will host Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi along with several other Arab leaders for the 10th Ministerial Conference of the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum. The leaders are expected to pay state visits to China and attend the forum’s opening ceremony from Tuesday to Saturday.

Vice Foreign Minister Deng Li stated during a press conference in Beijing that President Xi Jinping will attend the forum and deliver a keynote address on Thursday. President Xi will also engage in discussions with the visiting heads of state to exchange views on bilateral relations and regional and international issues.

The forum aims to deepen consensus between China and Arab countries and will be co-chaired by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his Mauritanian counterpart. Topics of discussion will include the Palestinian issue, with plans to issue a joint statement reflecting the shared stance between China and Arab nations.

China’s efforts to strengthen ties with Arab states have been ongoing, including brokering diplomatic dialogues between regional powers such as Iran and Saudi Arabia. Vice Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s visit to Egypt earlier this year resulted in a joint statement expressing support for a comprehensive and lasting resolution to conflicts in the Middle East.

China’s historical support for the Palestinian cause and its advocacy for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict underscore its role as a mediator in regional disputes. President Xi has previously called for an international peace conference to address ongoing conflicts in the region.

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