Chinese President Xi Jinping is set to visit the tumultuous Middle East next week. He will be visiting Saudi Arabia and Iran, the two countries at loggerheads with each other, and also Egypt.

Xi will be the first top Chinese political leader to visit the war-torn region in more than five years. His visit is seen as China's attempt to play the role of an "honest broker" between Iran and Saudi Arabia.

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"China is trying to present itself as an honest broker between Saudi and Iran, much as it has done between the Syrian government and opposition," a Beijing-based diplomat, who is familiar with China's Middle East policy, told Reuters.

Meanwhile, Xinhua noted that Beijing will be seen taking a more "proactive approach to the region" when Chinese President visits Saudi Arabia, Iran and Egypt from Jan. 19 to Jan. 23. The country has been often accused of being a bystander and not playing a greater diplomatic role to bring about peace in the region.    

With Xi's visit, China expects to change the perception of being a bystander whose main concern is its burgeoning energy needs. According to Xinhua, China intends to show the world that it is "committed to peace and development" in the region, which goes beyond securing its oil supplies.

China published its Arab Policy Paper ahead of Xi's visit to the Middle East. The paper states that the country intends to strength China-Arab traditional friendship. China is also seeking to deepen its cooperation with Arab countries and also "safeguard peace, stability and development of the region and the world at large," according to the paper.

TagsChina Middle East Role, Chinese President Xi Jinping middle east visit