The Achievements and Influence of the 10th Ministerial Meeting of China-Arab States Cooperation Forum

 

Abstract: During the 10th ministerial meeting of China-Arab States Cooperation Forum, China and Arab countries made many achievements in the political, economic and cultural fields, and signed three important documents. Generally speaking, the benefits of the 10th ministerial meeting of China-Arab States Cooperation Forum to China, Arab countries and the whole world outweigh the disadvantages. Scholars and the media in various countries have discussed the influence of the 10th ministerial meeting of China-Arab States Cooperation Forum from three aspects: enhancing the influence of China – Arab economic cooperation, safeguarding the interests of developing countries and promoting world peace.

Keywords: economic cooperation; multilateral cooperation; world peace

The 10th Ministerial Conference of the China-Arab Cooperation Forum has approved three outcome documents: the Beijing Declaration, the Action Implementation Plan of the China-Arab Cooperation Forum for 2024-2026, and the Joint Statement of China and Arab Countries on the Palestinian Question. Additionally, during the meeting, China has also entered into several bilateral and multilateral cooperation agreements with participating countries and the Arab League Secretariat.[1]

“The Beijing Declaration reviewed the important consensus reached during the first China-Arab Cooperation Forum and the progress made in implementing the outcomes of the Forum. It clarified a practical pathway to advance the establishment of a China-Arab Community of common destiny, reaffirming mutual support on core interest issues and deepening practical cooperation. In addition, it expounded common positions on political solutions to regional conflicts, intercultural dialogue, global governance, counter-terrorism efforts, human rights protection, artificial intelligence development, and climate change mitigation.

The Action Implementation Plan outlines strategies to strengthen the institutional framework of the China-Arab Forum and promoting multilateral/bilateral cooperation in the fields of politics, economy and trade, investment facilitation, financial cooperation, infrastructure development, resource management and environmental protection. Additionally, it highlights initiatives to enhance cultural exchanges as well as advancements in aerospace technology, education and healthcare over the next two years.

The Joint Statement expresses grave concern from both China and Arab States regarding the humanitarian crisis resulting from the prolonged conflict in Gaza. It emphasizes their unwavering stance on promoting ceasefire measures and cessation of hostilities in Gaza while ensuring adequate humanitarian aid reaches those affected. The statement also opposes any forced relocation of Palestinian people while supporting Palestine’s full membership within the United Nations. Lastly, it underscores commitment towards achieving an early resolution to the Palestinian issue based on a two-State solution.”[2]

The China Global South Project of the American media claims that the 10th ministerial meeting of China-Arab States Cooperation Forum lacked substance, leaving some Arab participants feeling disappointed due to a lack of specific details and commitments in the documents.[3] However, it is widely recognized that the summit has achieved significant accomplishments, holding great significance on a global scale.

I. “Five Cooperation Patterns” to Promote Economic Development

During the 10th Ministerial meeting of the China-Arab Cooperation Forum, President Xi Jinping emphasized that China was willing to promote China-Arab friendship and build a “five cooperation patterns” – a more dynamic innovation-driven pattern, a larger investment and financial pattern, a more three-dimensional energy cooperation pattern, a more balanced mutually beneficial economic and trade pattern and a broader cultural exchange pattern. This has accelerated the construction of a community of common destiny between China and Afghanistan.[4] The 10th ministerial meeting of the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum will facilitate enhanced economic relations between China and Arab countries, leading to greater economic benefits in the future. According to PR Newswire, the China-Arab forum has strengthened the economic cooperation between China and Arab countries. Over the years, countries undergoing economic transformation, such as Saudi Arabia, have received advanced technical support from China, including aerospace technology, digital economy development and new energy solutions. Egypt and other countries with major infrastructure needs have received assistance and financial support by China for wireless networks, light rail systems and implementation of 5G technology, which have greatly improved people’s quality of life.

Some Arab experts believe that developing economic cooperation with China can benefit Arab countries in related fields. Nabil Belegas, chairman of the Moroccan Chinese Youth Federation, said, “China adheres to mutually beneficial and win-win cooperation with Arab countries, actively promotes trade and investment facilitation, promotes two-way investment and trade between China and Arab countries, and realizes common development of both sides.” Ismail Debesh, chairman of the Algerian-China Friendship Association, mentioned that Algeria and China have successfully implemented a series of fruitful projects, including economy, trade, investment, scientific and technological cooperation and cultural exchanges. Omar, director of the Strategic, International, and Energy Research Center of Bahrain think tank, said that the economies of Arab countries are highly complementary to China’s economy. In recent years, China enterprises have actively participated in infrastructure construction projects in Arab countries, such as the light rail project in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, and have been widely recognized. Hade Lubili, chairman of the China Friendship Association of Iraq, said, “Under the framework of the” One Belt, One Road ‘initiative, a large number of Chinese-funded enterprises have come to Iraq and promoted the reconstruction process in Iraq.” [5]

During the 10th Ministerial meeting of the China-Arab Cooperation Forum, Chinese President Xi Jinping promised to continue to deepen cooperation by continuing to build laboratories and approving special loans.[6] The Kingdom of Bahrain commends China’s generous assistance to developing countries, which reflects its commitment to fostering prosperity and human dignity across the world[7].

According to a study conducted by Global News in 2022,[8] the China-Arab summit will promote China-Arab economic cooperation, which will make a few Arabs think that China will pose a threat to theirs countries. While most Arabs will keep the belief that China has brought opportunities to Arab countries and is a friendly builder of them. For the reason that the good quality and low price of Chinese goods will have a certain impact on local manufacturers, said Niu Xinchun, director of the Middle East Institute of China Institute of Contemporary International Relations. But on the whole, China-Arab exchanges must benefit both sides.[9] For example, China-Arab energy cooperation is deepening. On the one hand, this will help Arab countries to enhance their strategic autonomy and get rid of dollar hegemony. On the other hand, it is conducive to expanding the proportion of RMB in the global payment system, especially the energy payment system, and breaking the hegemonic position of the US dollar.[10]

Ⅱ. Practice Multilateralism and Safeguard the Interests of Developing Countries

China’s Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Deng Li, emphasized that China and Arab countries are crucial constituents of the developing world, significant actors in the international community, and key participants from the “Global South.” They shoulder the historical mission of realizing national rejuvenation and accelerating national development. The advancement of China-Arab relations not only benefits their respective populations but also contributes to promoting peaceful development in the Middle East while fostering stability in our interconnected world.[11] Whether it pertains to international human rights or climate change, China has closely collaborated with numerous Arab countries through the 10th ministerial meeting of the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum.

At the 10 th Ministerial Meeting of the China-Arab Cooperation Forum, China and Arab countries reached a consensus to unleash the positive effects of their community of destiny and establish a benchmark for consensus-building and optimization of global governance. Furthermore, China will collaborate with Albania to advocate for a fair and orderly multipolar world, inclusive economic globalization, push global governance towards a more just and reasonable direction, and steer the world towards a brighter future characterized by peace, security, prosperity, and progress.[12]

According to Nadia Helmi, an associate professor of political science at Beni Suwef University, the China-Arab ministerial summit is an important channel for strategic communication among countries in the “Global South”. The China-Arab Cooperation Forum is also conducive to maintaining multilateralism, enhancing the representation and voice of emerging market countries and developing countries, and utilizing the collective voice of developing countries to counteract the hegemony of the United States and the West. Similarly, Chen Yueyang believes that the “Global South” will assume greater responsibilities and play an increasingly important role in the period of global turmoil, increasing instability and increasing uncertainty. It will promote global governance through more efficient and practical cooperation. Anadolu Agency considers the China-Arab Cooperation Forum as a good mechanism for multilateral coordination.

Ⅲ. The Joint Statement Promotes World Peace

Since the outbreak of a new round of Palestinian-Israeli conflict on October 7, 2023, there has been an increasing risk of conflict spillover in the Middle East. During the tenth ministerial meeting of China-Arab Cooperation Forum, China and Arab countries jointly issued the “China-Arab Joint Statement on the Palestinian Issues.” The joint statement expresses deep concern of China and Arab countries about the humanitarian crisis caused by the long-term conflict in Gaza. It emphasizes their firm stance and important consensus in promoting a ceasefire in Gaza, facilitating humanitarian assistance and opposing forced displacement of Palestinians. They also express support for Palestine’s full membership of the United Nations and advancing an early resolution to the Palestinian issue based on a two-state plan.

Wang Yi, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of China, emphasized China’s unwavering commitment to supporting Arab countries in fostering unity and cooperation, promoting self-reliance and self-improvement, as well as independently exploring solutions to pressing issues concerning fairness, justice, and long-term stability.[13] China’s position on the Palestinian issue was highly appreciated by UAE President Mohamed, Bahrain King Hamad and Egyptian President Seyce.[14] Nadia Helmi, an associate professor of political science at Beni Suwef University in Egypt, told China Newsweek that China and Arab countries have reached a consensus on fundamental principles of international relations, including adherence to the rules of international law, respect for sovereignty, and non-interference in other countries’ internal affairs. Based on this consensus, Arab countries appreciate China’s stance on the Palestinian issue as it aligns with their vision and emphasizes the importance of the “two-state solution” as the sole means to resolve the crisis.

China’s success in promoting and facilitating the peaceful resolution of regional issues in the Middle East on multiple occasions reflects its anticipated and trusted role in current regional governance, as well as global governance. However, this does not imply that China is interfering in the internal affairs of other countries. On the contrary, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Deng Li has emphasized China’s commitment to facilitating consultations among Middle Eastern countries and their people to address regional problems. Unlike Western interference in internal affairs, both China and Albania share similar positions on most international political matters and advocate safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity. During the 10th ministerial meeting of the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum, both China and Arab countries stressed the importance of resolving differences through dialogue and consultation within the region while engaging in international human rights cooperation based on equality and mutual respect. Furthermore, China supports Arab countries’ efforts to enhance strategic autonomy, unity, self-improvement by pursuing a development path suitable for their own national conditions while maintaining security and stability in the Middle East. Albania appreciates China’s endeavors to promote regional peace and security, especially its support for reconciliation between Saudi Arabia and Iran. In addition, Albania hopes that China will play a more important role in supporting Arab causes, seek a peaceful solution to regional crises, and safeguard peace and stability in the Middle East.[15]

 

References

[1]Chen Luyi, Meng Zhouxiang: China-Arab cooperation in building the “Belt and Road” opens a new stage,2024.02.01, Belt Road Portal, https://www.yidaiyilu.gov.cn/p/0L156JRB.html.

[2]Reuters: Xi says China wants to work with Arab states to resolve hot spot issues, 2024.05.30, https://www.reuters.com/world/china-wants-ties-with-arab-states-t

hat-will-be-model-world-peace-2024-05-30/.

[3]Riyaz ul Khaliq: China, Arab nations condemn US over veto against Palestinian state–China-Arab States Cooperation Forum calls on UN Security Council to adopt binding resolut ions to achieve immediate, comprehensive, lasting cease-fire in Gaza, AnadoluAgency, 2024.05.31, https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/china-arab-nations-condemn-us-over-veto-against-palestinian-state/3236177.

[4]Huasheng Online: “Chinese fanaticism” reflects “China-Arab cooperation fanaticism”,2024.01.30,https://baijiahao.baidu.com/s? id=1789523328424077040&wf

r=spider&for=pc.

[5]CCTV Network: China-Arab cooperation has reached a new level in the new era and will continue to write a wonderful chapter in South-South cooperation in the next two decades,2024.05.31,http://m.cnhubei.com/content/2024-05/31/content_1798

6094.html.

[6]CCTV Network: A significant instant for China’s diplomacy to usher in China-Arab cooperation, 2024.05.30,https://news.cctv.com/2024/05/30/ARTIyP2gH0

OrDMDYJzntPoyd240530.shtml.

• Xinhua Website Client: Friends, Partners and Brothers —— Looking Back on China-Arab Cooperation for 20 Years, 2024.05.30, https://news.cctv.com/2024/

05/30/ARTIqXY1GiDsyXvIc88BgR1F240530.shtml.

[8]Wang Yi: Facing the new era, speeding up the Construction of China-Arab Community — On the occasion of the 10th Ministerial Conference of China-Arab Cooperation Forum, People’s Daily, 2024.05.29.

[9]Wang Lu:The upcoming China-Arab Ministerial Summit reflects the willingness of both sides to unite and cooperate, SurgentNews, 2024.05.27, https://baijiahao.baidu.com/s? id=1800171994770789438&wfr=spider&for=pc.

[10]Xinhua News: Drawing a blueprint for the development of China – Arab relations in the new era,  President Xi Jinping’s keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the 10th China – Arab States Ministerial Cooperation Forum has aroused enthusiastic responses from all walks of life in Arab countries, 2024.06.01,https://news.cctv.com/2024/06/01/ARTI2lAl0ruQxR0IKBtSpp6B240601.shtml.

[11]Sun Yi : Mind, confidence and confidence of China-Arab solidarity and cooperation to “run out of acceleration”, Xinhua News, 2024.06.01,  https://news.cctv.com/2024/06/01/ARTIHkUsj4pmGeyziYgVRCVZ240601.shtml.

[12]Liu Chang: Make the torch of China-Arab cooperation light the way for peace and development, Guangming Daily, 2024.06.03,https://m.yunnan.cn/system/20

24/06/03/033083394.shtml.

[13]Zheng Liying: What makes this a “golden signboard” for China-Arab collective cooperation? , China News Week, 2024.06.04,http://news.inewsweek.cn/pol

itics/2024-06-04/22196.shtml.

[14]People’s Daily: the 10th ministerial meeting of China-Arab States Cooperation Forum was held in Beijing, People’s Daily, 2024.05.31.

[15]Observer Website: the 10th ministerial meeting of China-Arab States Cooperation Forum was held in Beijing, 2024.05.30,https://baijiahao.baidu.com/s? id=1800471216840212544&wfr=s

pider&for=pc.

[16]Guangming Daily: the 10th ministerial meeting of China-Arab States Cooperation Forum adopted the Beijing Declaration and the Action Implementation Plan, Guangming Daily, 2024.06.01.

[17]Variety Newspaper: With light and shadow as the medium,  we will continue to write a new story about the two civilizations of China and Albania moving in opposite directions for two thousand years,  refers from State Administration of Radio and Television official website, 2024.06.03,https://baijiahao.baidu.com/s? id=1800791263850889641&wfr=spider&for=pc.

[18]Dong Xin: Since the establishment of theChina-Arab Ministerial Summit 20 years ago, what has China brought to the Arab world? Response from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Beijing Youth Daily, 2024.05.29,  https://m.163.com/dy/article/J3CBEMAV0514R9KQ.html.

[19]Li Chengwen: Into another 20 years of successful cooperation, China Daily, 2024.05.30.

[20]Global Website: Social commentary: China-Arab destiny community writes vivid footnotes for peace and development, Global Website, 2024.05.30,https://baijiahao.baidu.com/s? id=1800493329569813554&wfr=spider&f

or=pc.

[21]Global Website: Sudanese sinologists: China-Arab cooperation has a bright future, Sina Website, 2024.06.02,http://k.sina.com.cn/article_1686546714_6486a91a0

20024f7e.html.

 

[1] Straight flush financial news：The 10th Ministerial Meeting of the China-Arab Summit adopted a series of outcome documents, 2024.05.30, https://baijiahao.baidu.com/s?id=1800463509894531946&wfr=spider&for=pc.

[2] Liu Jiani: The 10th Ministerial Meeting of the China-Arab Summit adopted a series of outcome documents, 2024.05.30, The Beijing News, https://baijiahao.baidu.com/s?id=1800463478864751050&wfr=spider&for=pc.

[3] Eric Olander: Lots of Happy Talk, Not so Much Substance at Recent China-Arab Summit, Says Leading Scholar, China Global South Project,2024.06.03,https://chinaglobalsouth.com/2024/06/03/lots-of-happy-talk-not-so-

much-substance-at-recent-china-arab-summit-says-leading-scholar/.

[4] Xinhua News: Drawing a blueprint for the development of China – Arab relations in the new era, President Xi Jinping’s keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the 10th China – Arab States Ministerial Cooperation Forum has aroused enthusiastic responses from all walks of life in Arab countries, 2024.06.01,https://news.cctv.co

m/2024/06/01/ARTI2lAl0ruQxR0IKBtSpp6B240601.shtml.

[5] Zhou Wei, Guan Kejiang, Zhang Zhiwen, Huang Peizhao, Hao Ruimin, Xue Dan: Promote the construction of a higher-level Arab-Chinese destiny community, People’s Daily, 2024.05.18.

[6] Xi Jinpin: Xi Jinping’s keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the 10th China-Arab States Summit, 2024.05.30, https://baijiahao.baidu.com/s?id=1800453665214678956&wfr=spider&for=pc.

[7] Bahrain News Agency: HM King participates in opening ceremony of 10th ministerial meeting of China-Arab States Cooperation Forum, 2024.05.30, https://www.bna.bh/en/HMKingparticipatesinopeningceremonyof1

0thministerialmeetingofChinaArabStatesCooperationForum.aspx?cms=q8FmFJgiscL2fwIzON1%2BDrV57Qsj3sBN%2Be4VerZau9o%3D.

[8] In 2022, the Public Opinion Center of Global Times, in conjunction with the Arabic School of Beijing Foreign Studies University, conducted a “mutual viewing survey between China and six Arab countries (Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan and Algeria)” among the general public aged 18-70. When asked about China’s role in the Arab region, nearly 60% of Arab respondents think that China was a “builder” of the development of the Arab region. In addition, nearly 80% (76.7%) of Arab respondents think that the development of China provides opportunities for Arab countries, but about 10% of them think that the development of China will pose a threat to the Arab world.

[9] Chen Zishuai, Liu Xin: Nearly 80% of respondents: China brings opportunities, Global Times, 2022.12.09.

[10] Jiang Yingmei: Economic and Trade Cooperation: The “Ballast” of Sino-Arab Relations, World Knowledge, 2023(2),p19.

[11] Wang Yi: Facing the new era, speeding up the Construction of China-Arab Community —— On the occasion of the 10th Ministerial Conference of China-Arab Cooperation Forum, People’s Daily, 2024.05.29.

[12] Zheng Liying: What makes this a “golden signboard” for China-Arab collective cooperation?, China News Week, 2024.06.04, http://news.inewsweek.cn/politics/2024-06-04/22196.shtml.

[13] Globe Website: Wang Yi: the 10th ministerial meeting of China-Arab States Cooperation Forum was a complete success, refers from Ministry of Foreign Affairs official website, 2024.05.30, https://baijiahao.baidu.com/s?id=1800469673247770076&wfr=sp

ider&for=pc.

[14] Xinhua News: Open a new era of China-Arab relations and create a better world and a new future–President Xi Jinping’s keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the 10th China-Arab States Summit injected strength into China – Arab solidarity and cooperation, 2024.05.31, https://www.cac.gov.cn/2024-05/31/c_1718832131610797.

[15] Guangming Daily: the 10th ministerial meeting of China-Arab States Cooperation Forum adopted the Beijing Declaration and the Action Implementation Plan,Guangming Daily, 2024.06.01.

 

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