China sees trade as the solution to Middle-East problems

CHINA, long accused by the United States of being a free rider by not contributing to the resolution of global issues, has taken a big step into the Middle East, with President Xi Jinping visiting Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Iran, strengthening the country's relations with the crisis-stricken region, but at the same time making it clear that it had its own strategic priorities.

The bold Chinese action came amid a crisis between Saudi Arabia and its rival, Iran. Riyadh broke diplomatic relations with Teheran after an attack on its embassy when Iran executed a prominent Shiite cleric.

The Xi visit was deftly handled so as not to give the impression that China was favouring one branch of Islam, the Shiites, who are dominant in Iran, or the Sunnis, who account for the vast majority of the world's Muslims, including in Saudi Arabia.