July 8, 2020
China, Arab countries adopt action plan to deepen cooperation
By Abdus-Sattar Ghazali
The 9th ministerial meeting of the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum, held via video link on Monday, adopted the Amman Declaration and an action plan for the forum to deepen cooperation and ties between China and Arab states, Xinhua news agency reported Tuesday.
The forum was established in 2004 by then-Chinese President Hu Jintao when he visited the Arab League headquarters in Cairo.
Co-chaired by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, the meeting was attended by foreign ministers of the Arab League (AL) member states, along with AL Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul-Gheit.
In his opening remarks, Safadi said Jordan appreciates China's stance in supporting Palestinians' rights to freedom and independence, rejecting the annexation plan of occupied Palestinian land in violation of international law and endangerment of all chances of just and comprehensive peace.
AL chief Aboul-Gheit said that holding the meeting amid ongoing world challenges reflects the keenness of the Middle East and China.
The Amman Declaration expressed the desire of China and Arab states to deepen relations and reiterated mutual support on the issues of core interests and major concerns.
The declaration also showed the positions of both sides on major regional and international issues, and stresses jointly building a China-Arab community with a shared future in the new era.
Both sides spoke highly of the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative and its broad prospect for mutually-beneficial cooperation, and agreed that the two sides should advance mutual consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits within the framework of the Belt and Road.
China has signed MoUs with its Belt & Road Initiative with the Middle Eastern countries - including Bahrain, Cyprus, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey, the UAE and Yemen.
The Amman Declaration stressed that China and Arab countries should achieve common development and strive to jointly build a China-Arab community with a shared future in the new era.
A China-Arab Summit, to be hosted by Saudi Arabia, is welcomed by both sides, the declaration said. Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan announced plans to host the upcoming Arab-Chinese summit in the Kingdom to discuss further strategic partnerships and cooperation with China in various areas. A formal date for the upcoming Arab-Chinese summit will be determined at a later date once both sides agree on one, the Saudi foreign ministry added.
The China-Arab States Cooperation Forum agreed to foster a new type of international relations featuring mutual respect, fairness, justice, and mutually beneficial cooperation. Both sides supported multilateralism rather than hegemonic order to achieve peace and stability in the world, read the declaration.
All countries should abide by the principle of good-neighborliness, mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, non-aggression and non-interference in each others' internal affairs, respecting and supporting each other in choosing their own development path and social system, it said.
China will endorse reforms of the UN Security Council to increase the representation of developing countries including the Arab nations in the council, the declaration said.
The Arab countries stressed their support for China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, noting that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China. They firmly uphold the one-China principle, and oppose the so-called "Taiwan Independence" in any form.
The Arab countries support China's position on the Hong Kong issue and its efforts to defend the national security within the framework of "one country, two systems", and oppose interference in internal affairs, it added.
Both sides have made crucial efforts to take care of their ethnic minorities, said the declaration, adding that China welcomes representatives of Arab League and its member states to visit Chinese provinces, including Xinjiang.
The two sides denounce terrorist activities in all forms, actively combat extremist ideology, acts of terrorism and incitement to terrorism, eradicate the root causes of terrorism, and cut off its sources of funding.
Both sides oppose linking terrorism to any ethnic group, religion, country or civilization and call on all countries to refrain from providing any form of public or private support to entities or individuals involved in terrorist activities, the declaration said.
On fighting COVID-19 with solidarity, the ministerial meeting of the forum agreed to carry out cooperation against the pandemic within the health-cooperation mechanism under the framework of the forum.
While the world is engaged in an ongoing discussion about the ramifications of the trade war between Washington and Beijing, the economies of the Middle East are shifting away from their longstanding ties with the U.S. toward economically powerful China, a move that may have long-term implications for the economic and political dynamics of the region, according to Yasser Elnaggar of the Washington-based Middle East Institute.
There is no doubt that the relationship between the countries of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and China has taken a significant turn in the 21st century. China's rapid economic growth necessitated an aggressive approach in pursuit of much-needed natural resources. The MENA region was largely excluded from China's pivot toward Asia and Africa, and it was not until the Arab Spring in 2011 that China adopted a more engaged policy toward the key countries in the region, Elnaggar said, adding:
"As a result of this increased engagement, China has become the largest investor in the region, and the most sought after. In 2018, China committed $20 billion in loans for reconstruction in the Arab world, as well as $3 billion in loans for the banking sector.
"There has also been a boom in trade between the two sides, which has multiplied to reach almost $245 billion. In addition, the MENA region is witnessing a growing presence from Chinese private-sector companies, especially technology firms. For example, five of the top 10 e-commerce companies in the region are from China. They are drawn by the growing size of the MENA e-commerce market, which is expected to reach $49 billion by 2021."
Abdus Sattar Ghazali is the Chief Editor of the Journal of America (www.journalofamerica.net) Email asghazali2011 (@) gmail.com
The Journal of America Team:
Editor in chief:
Abdus Sattar Ghazali
Senior Editor:
Prof. Arthur Scott
Special Correspondent
Maryam Turab
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