Beijing: May 30, 2024 marks the 20th anniversary of the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum (CASCF) and the 10th Ministerial Conference in Beijing.
As China and Arab countries share a comparable historical path and share important responsibilities for national rejuvenation, the ministerial meeting in Beijing adopted three joint declarations – Beijing Declaration, CASCF Implementation Plan for 2024-2026, and a. The Sino-Arab joint statement on the Palestinian issue shows that there is a mutual intention to continue friendship, deepen cooperation and strengthen political trust for the future.
The long-lasting and deep traditional friendship between China and Arab countries constitutes a valuable asset that promotes sincere cooperation. CASCF has become an important platform for bilateral cooperation, and in the past 20 years has played an important role in strengthening mutual political trust, promoting economic and trade cooperation, promoting cultural exchange and scientific and technological development.
This continued participation shows the importance and importance of this partnership and has achieved many successes. Together, the two sides have emerged as an important force in the defense of international fairness and justice, actively participating in international issues of public concern.
Economically complementary, China and the Arab countries naturally come together as economic and trade partners in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). BRI’s progress in the Middle East reflects China’s progress in its relations with these countries.
China and Arab countries are important to each other, the latter being China’s main overseas oil supplier and China being the largest trading partner of Arab countries for many years. Bilateral trade between the two sides has witnessed remarkable growth, increasing from $36.7 billion in 2004 to $431.4 billion in 2022. Cooperation between the two sides has expanded beyond traditional economic and trade areas to include high-tech areas such as medicine and healthcare, and satellite communication. and other emerging trends.
In December 2022, the first Sino-Arab Summit will be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Chinese President Xi Jinping, together with the leaders of Arab countries, outlined plans for bilateral relations and said that he will make efforts to develop a Sino-Arab community and a common future in the new era.
China’s mediation in the 2023 rapprochement between Saudi Arabia and Iran has facilitated the work of the relevant parties and made a significant contribution to peace and stability in the region. This mediation demonstrates China’s role as a leading force and the successful implementation of the Global Security Initiative, demonstrating China’s role as a facilitator of security and stability, a supporter of development and prosperity, and an advocate of unity and self-reliance in the Middle East. . .
Since the new phase of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict since October 7 last year, China has urgently engaged with various stakeholders and actively promoted peace and dialogue. On the contrary, some external forces have exacerbated tensions in the region through irresponsible interventions. Israel’s new three-phase peace proposal aimed at resolving the protracted conflict by the US may offer the prospect of stability. However, the proposal’s inadequacy in addressing humanitarian aid and peacekeeping responsibilities in the region suggests that the proposal can only be used to advance the peace process in the region.
During the past two decades, China and Arab countries have steadily strengthened mutual political trust, making a positive contribution to regional and global peace and stability. This joint work provides invaluable insight into South-South and North-South cooperation. China’s development path adheres to the principles of peace and development, showing that it will continue to be a strong friend and partner for Arab countries.
