Kathmandu— Chinese President Xi Jinping will travel to Kyrgyzstan and Egypt from August 30 to September 3, according to China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The trip includes attendance at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Bishkek, where he is expected to discuss cooperation with leaders from member states like Russia and Iran, followed by a state visit to Egypt – his first in ten years – for talks focused on regional peace and stability. The tour marks Xi’s second overseas trip this year, following a June visit to North Korea.

SCO Summit Focus

At the SCO summit in Bishkek, President Xi will engage in discussions centered around deepening cooperation among member states and addressing key international and regional issues. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian announced that these talks would cover a broad range of topics relevant to the organization’s goals.

Bilateral Ties with Kyrgyzstan

During his visit to Kyrgyzstan, Xi Jinping is scheduled to hold discussions with President Sadyr Japarov and participate in various state events. This engagement aims to strengthen the relationship between China and Kyrgyzstan.

Egypt Visit Highlights Regional Stability

Xi’s first state visit to Egypt in ten years will center on meetings with President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, with a stated goal of contributing to peace and stability in the region. Lin Jian emphasized that this visit “holds special significance for the development of bilateral ties.” China maintains significant economic interests in the Middle East, previously relying on it as its primary source of crude oil imports.

Geopolitical Context

The trip occurs amid ongoing conflict between Iran and the United States, which has disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and impacted global oil flows. This regional instability underscores the importance of China’s diplomatic efforts.

This tour represents a continued effort by President Xi to strengthen international relationships and address key geopolitical challenges.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.