Trip signals growing appeal, influence

The visit by President Xi Jinping to the Middle East has fate-changing, history-making significance.

Coming right after the inauguration of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, it signals the official launch and execution, as well as deeper implementation, of the Belt and Road Initiative, which has far-reaching strategic implications.

Moreover, it signals China's increasing role in affairs of the Middle East, which has an important geopolitical position, comprising the world's leading oil and gas production, and a mega-rich yet early-stage market with colossal room for further Chinese participation.