A new milestone in Sino-Egyptian relations
- By Wu Sike
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E-mail China Today, January 21, 2016
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Egyptian motorists give a China-made Chery auto the once-over at the 2010 Cairo International Auto Fair. [Photo/China Today] |
New Historical Opportunities for Sino-Arab Cooperation
China and Arab countries always show mutual respect and trust for one another, and persevere in seeking common development through win-win cooperation. The Chinese and Arab/Islamic civilizations first experienced exchanges and mutual learning more than 1,000 years ago, through the ancient Silk Road. Exchanges between the two old civilizations have remained constant.
Since entering the new millennium, the world has become smaller thanks to economic globalization and informatization. Sino-Arab relations established on the foundation of mutual respect and win-win cooperation have seen leapfrog development. Establishment of the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum in 2004 in particular elevated bilateral relations, featuring comprehensive cooperation and common development, to a strategic level.
China has declared its stance in light of the great revolution and social transformation in the Arab world. First, China understands and respects the people in these countries and regions’ aspirations and demands for change, their wishes and choices. China opposes other countries’ intervention in the internal affairs of the nations involved, and firmly believes that disputes should be solved through dialogue and other political approaches. China disapproves of and would never endorse the resolution of disputes through violence.
Second, China hopes that hotspot issues in the Middle East may be solved through political efforts, and is willing to make its contribution to bringing peace to the region.
Third, China supports these countries’ independent choice of their particular development paths, and would gladly exchange experiences in state governance with Middle Eastern countries.
Fourth, China provides, as it always has, economic, technical and humanitarian assistance to these countries.
Fifth, China proactively supports and encourages inter-civilization exchanges with Arab countries, and mutual learning through sharing state governance experience and promoting win-win cooperation. Sino-Arab relations will continue to develop despite various changes.
Meanwhile, the vicissitudes of the international situation, the global financial crisis and the grave regional security situation all pose new challenges to China and Arab nations in their quest for peace and stability, economic development, sustainable use of energy and resources, and environmental protection. Achieving sustainable development has become the common concern and pursuit of both sides. President Xi Jinping proposed in September and October of 2013 the Silk Road Economic Belt and 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. This plan represents a new development strategy featuring cooperation, and expresses the Chinese leader’s strategic thinking and global vision.
When Xi Jinping met with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) delegation in January 2014, he emphasized that Arab countries located in the western intersection of the Belt and Road Initiative are natural and important cooperative partners, and that China sets great store on cooperating with Arab countries in the co-building of the Belt and Road.
At the Sixth Ministerial Conference of China-Arab States Cooperation Forum held in Beijing on June 5 of the same year, Xi Jinping proposed that the two sides adhere to the principle of discussion, co-construction and sharing in jointly building the Belt and Road. He put forward a “1+2+3” cooperation pattern.
One means taking energy cooperation as the core. Xi called for deepened cooperation along the whole oil and natural gas industrial chain to ensure safe energy transport routes and establish a long-term strategic cooperative energy relationship between China and the Arab world that is mutually beneficial, secure, reliable and friendly.
Two means making infrastructure construction and trade & investment facilitation the two wings of the cooperation. Xi urged all parties to strengthen cooperation in major development projects and landmark projects that are relevant to people’s livelihood, and to make relevant institutional arrangements to promote two-way trade and investment.
Three refers to the three high- and new-tech fields of nuclear energy, space satellites, and new energy as breakthroughs through which to upgrade China-Arab pragmatic cooperation. As regards high- and new-technology cooperation, Xi also proposed discussions on the construction of three centers: a China-Arab technology transfer center, an Arab training center for peaceful use of nuclear energy, and a center for application of China’s Beidou Navigation Satellite System (BDS) in Arab nations.
Jointly building the Belt and Road has become a main strand of China-Arab cooperation that will upgrade bilateral cooperation in business and trade, energy, infrastructure, and high-tech to a new level. The three centers Xi proposed will shortly be constructed. This will bring China and Arab nations closer, forging communities of common interests and a shared future. It will also encourage both sides’ innovation of their institutions, their tapping of potential domestic demand, enhancement of inherent dynamism, and creation of new growth points of economic development.
Looking to the future, China and Arab states face historical opportunities amid deepening win-win cooperation and realization of common development. China will make continuous efforts with Arab nations to carry forward the Silk Road spirit of peaceful cooperation, mutual accommodation, learning from each other, and the pursuit of mutual benefit. China will steadily deepen mutual respect and trust, connect development strategies, expand bilateral practical cooperation in various fields, tap cooperation potential, and innovate cooperative modes, so flying the banner of peace and development as it heads towards a brighter future.
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