As the first China-Arab Summit prepares to launch in Saudi Arabia, voices from across the Arab world are highlighting the potential for deeper cultural collaboration. CGTN Stringer interviewed residents of Egypt, Syria, and Tunisia to explore their vision for strengthening ties with China.
Many emphasized the growing presence of Chinese technology in daily life. \"From smartphones to smart appliances, Chinese electronics are everywhere here,\" said a Tunisian interviewee. \"But we also want to explore shared histories – imagine joint archaeological projects uncovering ancient trade routes that connected our civilizations.\"
Cultural reciprocity emerged as a key theme. An Egyptian participant noted: \"While our young people follow Chinese tech innovations, I hope Chinese audiences discover our music and cinema too.\" Meanwhile, a Syrian respondent proposed student exchange programs to \"build human connections that outlast political cycles.\"
The summit comes as China-Arab trade surpassed $330 billion in 2023, with cultural diplomacy now poised to complement economic ties. Observers suggest digital platforms could accelerate this exchange, leveraging TikTok trends for language learning or virtual museum tours.
Reference(s):
'We Talk': Arabs share expectations for cultural exchanges with China
cgtn.com
