Qatar's ruler will visit South Korea, Japan and China - some of the energy-rich country's top trading partners - later this month, state media reported Thursday, amid a diplomatic Gulf crisis. Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani will sign several "agreements", the Qatar News Agency said.
"The Emir will discuss bilateral relations and strategic partnerships in various fields to serve the interests of Qatar and its friendly countries, as well as exchange views on regional and international issues of common interest," the report said.
Qatar has been isolated from its neighbours and former allies - including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain - since June 2017 over accusations it supports terrorist groups and seeks closer ties with Saudi arch-rival Iran. Doha denies the allegations.
The emir is scheduled to head to South Korea, Qatar's second biggest trading partner, on January 27. From there he will head to Japan - his country's top trading partner - and then China. This marks the emir's second visit to China as Qatar's ruler, having first gone to the country in November 2014.
Relations between Doha and Beijing have grown in recent years. China now ranks as Qatar's third-largest trading partner, with almost $11 billion worth of trade in 2017, according to the Doha government's figures. Among the major deals agreed between the two countries is the joint venture contract won by the China Railway Construction Corporation to build Qatar's 2022 World Cup final stadium in Lusail.
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