Wu Sike

He succeeded Sun Bigan in 2009 as China's Special Envoy on the Middle East Issue, serving in that position until 2014. Before assuming the office, he served successively as Chinese Ambassador to Saudi Arabia from 2000 to 2003 and Ambassador to Egypt from 2003 to 2007. Wu started to learn the Arabic language in 1965, when he was admitted to Beijing International Studies University.

Wu Sike
吴思科
China's Special Envoy on the Middle East Issue
In office March 2009 – 5 September 2014
Preceded by	Sun Bigan
Succeeded by	Gong Xiaosheng
Chinese Ambassador to Egypt
In office June 2003 – November 2007
Preceded by	Liu Xiaoming
Succeeded by	Wu Chunhua
Chinese Ambassador to Saudi Arabia
In office April 2000 – August 2003
Preceded by	Yu Xingzhi
Succeeded by	Wu Chunhua
Personal details
Born	May 1946 (age 77) Yingshang, Anhui
Spouse	Li Jianhua
Alma mater	Beijing International Studies University

In Wu's role as Special Envoy, he focused primarily on the Middle Eastern peace process. Wu's criticisms of Israel increased as a result of Israel's blockade of Gaza and its raiding of a flotilla carrying aid while the flotilla was in international waters.

Although the focus of the Special Envoy position continued to the peace process, Wu also sought to address the conflict in Syria and a number of other issues in the region. Near the end of his return, Wu remarked, "The stability of Iraq is key to peace and stability of the entire Middle East, as well as that of the world."