简体中文
Editor's note: The author is Prof. Engr. Zamir Ahmed Awan, Sinologist (ex-Diplomat), Editor, Analyst, Non-Resident Fellow of CCG (Center for China and Globalization), National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad, Pakistan.
Like China, Arabs are also an old civilization and share many things in common. Both are Eastern civilizations and value their traditions. Both have suffered from Western Colonialization and victims of the Western brutalities. Both are still facing severe challenges, created by Western World for long.
Sino-Arab relations have extended historically back to the first Caliphate, with important trade routes, and excellent diplomatic relations. Chinese traders were vesting the Arab World touring Europe, and Arab Traders were visiting China frequently. There exists a long history of Friendship and cooperation between various Arab countries and China. Some of the Arab traders settled in China, and (Huizu) Chinese Muslims are mostly descendants of those traders. Chinese Muslims played a vital role in the development of the country throughout history.
For the last couple of decades, the US and its allies destroyed the Arab World. War on terror was aimed to crush Arabs; either it is Iraq, Libya, Syria, Egypt, Yemen, or Tunisia. Even the rich oil-exporting countries GCC are the victim too. On the one hand, the US provides protection to the GCC rulers at a very high cost, which includes financial cost as well as political price. On the other hand, threatening them with Iran's rivalry and forcing them to buy expensive weapons. President Bush announced the launch of the crusade against the Muslim World after the 9/11 engineered drama.
There exist strong anti-America sentiments throughout the Arab World, even some of the rulers support America on the surface but hate America from the core of the heart. The general public openly expresses dissatisfaction and anti-America sentiments.
That is why there exists a vast space for China. It is anti-America sentiments, which helps China to assert positively. Most of the Arab countries are looking toward China for their socio-economic development as well as for their security and defense needs. Belt and Road Initiatives (BRI) is a strong bond developing rapidly; more and more countries are joining and supporting BRI. China is a strong hope for a desperate Arab World.
On 6 July 2020, the ninth Ministerial Conference of the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum (CASCF) was held via video link. The Conference was co-chaired by State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Jordanian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Ayman Hussein Abdullah Al-Safadi, and attended by foreign ministers or ministerial-level officials of all member states of the League of Arab States (LAS) and LAS Secretary-General Ahmed AboulGheit.
President Xi Jinping understands the importance of the Arab World and its political and economic potential. He sent a congratulatory letter to the meeting. State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Jordan's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Ayman Safadi co-chaired the meeting and delivered keynote and concluding remarks. The meeting was addressed by the Arab League Secretary-General and foreign ministers of all the 21 Arab League member states.
It was no easy feat to hold this meeting. As COVID-19 wreaks havoc around the World, the future of all humankind and the destinies of all countries are unprecedentedly intertwined. The advent of this pandemic affected China and all Arab states and forced the cancellation or postponement of many institutional meetings between Arab states. Despite all these, both sides made joint efforts to overcome difficulties and hold this meeting as scheduled. This meeting bears far-reaching significance as it reflects the determination of China and Arab states to fight COVID-19 and advance China-Arab strategic partnership together.
After discussions, three outcome documents were reached, namely the joint statement of China and Arab states on solidarity against COVID-19, the Amman declaration of the ninth ministerial meeting of the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum, and the execution plan for 2020-2022 of the China-Arab Cooperation Forum.
Through the joint statement of China and Arab states on solidarity against COVID-19, China and Arab countries have gathered collective strength to fight the epidemics and tide over the difficulties together. Both sides stressed that solidarity and cooperation is the most potent weapon for the international community to defeat the outbreaks, and called for the building of a community with a shared future and a community of health between China and Arab states in the joint fight against COVID-19. Both sides underlined the importance of multilateralism, the need to strengthen further and improve the UN-centered global governance system, support the critical leading role of WHO, and call on the international community to enhance coordination and form synergy and stand against discrimination against any specific country, region, ethnic group or individual. China is ready to continue assisting Arab states in fighting the epidemics.
The adoption of the Amman declaration demonstrates the political will of China and Arab states to support each other and share weal and woe. At the previous ministerial meeting, President Xi Jinping put forward the initiative of "jointly building a China-Arab community with a shared future for a new era," which became a bilateral consensus. The two sides agreed to hold a China-Arab summit at an appropriate time and to include the topic of building a China-Arab community with a shared future into the agenda of the summit.
The Arab states emphasized that they support China's position on Hong Kong-related matters, support China's efforts to safeguard national security under the framework of "one country, two systems," and oppose foreign interference in China's internal affairs. They support China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, adhere to the one-China principle, and oppose "Taiwan independence" in all forms. They support China's preventive counter-terrorism measures and de-radicalization efforts. They oppose anti-China separatist activities carried out by religious extremists, separatists, and terrorist forces.
Through the execution plan for 2020-2022, China and Arab states have mapped out practical cooperation and joint development in the future. The two sides have reached 107 cooperation measures in 20 areas, including politics, economy, energy, production capacity, science, technology, and health.
Sino-Arabs jointly will reshape the geopolitics in the days to come. Currently, Arabs are not united and politically weak but possess significant potential to unite and play a crucial role in the future. Arabs may revive their glorious past and contribute to the rest of the World positively. The Conference has set-up a new height of Friendship and cooperation between the Arab World and China. It seems more collaboration in the various field will be visible in the days to come.
(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)