China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi has begun a three nation Middle East tour in Abu Dhabi, meeting UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed. Beijing’s foreign ministry says both sides pledged to deepen cooperation in oil and gas, investment, and major infrastructure projects, and to “elevate” bilateral ties through closer high-level political contact. The visit is framed by Beijing as part of a wider effort to expand its economic footprint in the Gulf while consolidating long term energy and trade partnerships with key producers such as the UAE.
