On June 25, 2023, two China-funded prototype satellites of the MisrSat II satellite project were delivered to Egypt, making it the first African country with the capacity to assemble, integrate, and test satellites. This landmark achievement represents a significant milestone in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) cooperation between China and Arab countries.
Addressing the opening ceremony of the 10th ministerial conference of the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum on Thursday in Beijing, Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed “five cooperation frameworks” to enhance the building of a China-Arab community with a shared future.
In his keynote speech, President Xi emphasized that China will work with Arab states in the spirit of equality and mutual benefit. “China will work with the Arab side to make our relations a fine example of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation,” he stated.
Boosting Innovation Cooperation
China plans to collaborate with Arab states to build a joint space debris observation center, a BeiDou navigation satellite system application and cooperation development center, and enhance cooperation in manned space missions and passenger aircraft. These initiatives aim to bolster innovation cooperation between China and Arab nations.
President Xi also called for enhanced cooperation on artificial intelligence (AI) to empower the real economy and promote a global governance system for AI. By fostering collaboration in cutting-edge technologies, China and Arab countries can drive mutual growth and development.
Strengthening Economic and Trade Ties
To promote economic and trade relations, China will accelerate negotiations on bilateral and regional free trade agreements and advance dialogue mechanisms for e-commerce cooperation. The goal is to facilitate smoother trade flows and strengthen economic partnerships.
Under the Belt and Road Initiative, China has signed cooperation documents with all 22 Arab countries and the League of Arab States. More than 200 major projects have been implemented, benefiting nearly two billion people on both sides.
Advancing People-to-People Exchanges
President Xi highlighted the importance of inclusiveness and mutual learning to advance people-to-people exchanges. Cultural interactions between China and Arab states have been flourishing, with deepened cooperation in language learning and education.
An increasing number of Chinese students are studying in Arab countries to learn local languages and cultures. Simultaneously, six Arab states—the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Palestine, Egypt, Tunisia, and Djibouti—have officially incorporated Chinese language courses into their national education systems.
Supporting Palestine and Humanitarian Efforts
In his speech, President Xi reiterated China’s support for Palestine’s full membership in the United Nations and advocated for a more broad-based, authoritative, and effective international peace conference.
Building on previous humanitarian assistance, President Xi announced an additional 500 million yuan (approximately $69 million) in aid to help ease the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and support post-conflict reconstruction. China will also donate $3 million to the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East to support its emergency humanitarian assistance to Gaza.
Facilitating Regional Peace and Stability
China has been actively mediating to promote peace and stability among Arab states. Earlier this year, China facilitated the historic reconciliation between Saudi Arabia and Iran. Representatives of the Palestinian National Liberation Movement (Fatah) and the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) were invited to Beijing for talks on promoting intra-Palestinian reconciliation, achieving positive progress.
“As an Arab saying goes, friends are the sunshine in life. We will continue to work with our Arab friends to carry forward the spirit of China-Arab friendship, build together a better future, and make the road sunny toward a China-Arab community with a shared future,” President Xi said.
The proposed “five cooperation frameworks” signify China’s commitment to strengthening ties with Arab nations across various sectors, including innovation, trade, cultural exchange, and humanitarian assistance. By working collaboratively, China and Arab states aim to build a prosperous and peaceful future, enhancing their influential roles in global affairs.
Reference(s):
China proposes five frameworks to advance ties with Arab states
cgtn.com
