Vice-Foreign Minister Zhang Ming told a press briefing on January 18 in Beijing that President Xi Jinping will visit the headquarters of the Arab League in Cairo and deliver a speech there during his three-country visit to Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Iran from January 19 to 23.

Xi will elaborate on China's policies that boost peace and development in the Middle East as well as China's initiatives and measures on pragmatic cooperation, Zhang said.

The trip will mark China's first major diplomatic action of the new year, Zhang said.

This year marks the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Egypt and China-Arab ties, Zhang said.

Zhang noted that all the three countries "have great influence" in the Middle East.

Exchanges of views will be made during the visit on major international and regional issues, Zhang said.

The official said the presidential visit "has a compact schedule and is rich in content".

Possible outcomes of the visit may involve aspects such as energy, infrastructure construction, trade and investment facilitation, and cutting edge technologies, Zhang said.

(Chinadaily.com.cn January 18, 2016)