On June 25, 2023, China made a significant leap in its collaboration with the Arab world by delivering two China-funded prototype satellites of the MisrSat II project to Egypt. This milestone makes Egypt the first African nation capable of assembling, integrating, and testing satellites, marking a landmark achievement in the Belt and Road Initiative.
At the opening ceremony of the 10th ministerial conference of the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum in Beijing, Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized the spirit of equality and mutual benefit. \"China will work with the Arab side in the spirit of equality and mutual benefit to make our relations a fine example of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation,\" Xi stated.
Five Cooperation Frameworks
During his keynote speech, Xi introduced the \"five cooperation frameworks\" aimed at building a China-Arab community with a shared future. These frameworks include the establishment of a joint space debris observation center, the expansion of BeiDou applications, the creation of a cooperation and development center, and enhanced collaboration in manned space missions and passenger aircraft. Additionally, Xi highlighted the importance of strengthening cooperation in artificial intelligence (AI) to empower the real economy and promote a global governance system on AI.
To further economic and trade ties, China plans to accelerate negotiations on bilateral and regional free trade agreements and advance dialogue mechanisms for e-commerce cooperation. Under the Belt and Road initiative, China has signed cooperation documents with all 22 Arab countries and the League of Arab States, implementing over 200 major projects that benefit nearly two billion people on both sides.
Xi also stressed the importance of people-to-people exchanges, noting the flourishing cultural interactions between China and Arab states. Cooperation in language learning and education has deepened, with more Chinese students studying in Arab countries and six Arab nations incorporating Chinese language courses into their national education systems.
Additional $69 Million Assistance for Gaza
Addressing humanitarian concerns, Xi announced an additional 500 million yuan ($69 million) in assistance to alleviate the crisis in Gaza and support post-conflict reconstruction. This follows a previous emergency humanitarian assistance of 100 million yuan (about $13.8 million). Furthermore, China will donate $3 million to the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East to support emergency humanitarian efforts.
China continues to play a pivotal role in mediating peace and stability in the region, having facilitated the historic reconciliation between Saudi Arabia and Iran. Representatives from the Palestinian National Liberation Movement (Fatah) and the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) have also engaged in talks in Beijing, making positive strides toward intra-Palestinian reconciliation.
\"As an Arab saying goes, friends are the sunshine in life. We will continue to work with our Arab friends to carry forward the spirit of China-Arab friendship, build together a better future and make the road sunny toward a China-Arab community with a shared future,\" concluded Xi.
Reference(s):
China proposes five frameworks to advance ties with Arab states
cgtn.com
