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Chinese Premier Li Qiang is set to embark on a diplomatic tour next week, beginning with the 17th BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from July 5 to 8.
Following the summit, he will make an official visit to Egypt from July 9 to 10, China’s foreign ministry announced on Wednesday.
Beijing and Moscow have consistently promoted the BRICS bloc—originally comprising Brazil, Russia, India, and China—as a significant counter to perceived Western dominance in global affairs.
A foreign ministry spokesperson described BRICS as “one of the most important platforms for solidarity and cooperation among emerging markets and developing countries in today’s world.”
Spokeswoman Mao Ning added that it is “a vital force in promoting a more equal and orderly multipolar world and an inclusive and beneficial economic globalisation.”
Notably, Russian President Vladimir Putin will not attend the upcoming Brazil summit due to an outstanding International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant against him, as announced by the Kremlin last week.
After his engagements in Brazil, Premier Li will head to Egypt.
Beijing has been actively positioning itself as a mediator in the Middle East, evidenced by its role in facilitating the 2023 rapprochement between Saudi Arabia and Iran.
China aims to present itself as a more neutral party in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict compared to the United States.
During his visit to Egypt, “Premier Li Qiang will have in-depth exchanges of views with Egyptian leaders on the development of China-Egypt relations, the deepening of mutually beneficial cooperation, and issues of common concern,” Mao Ning stated.
