CGTN: China intensifies cooperation with Arab countries under the Belt and Road Initiative

Chinese President Xi Jinping said China will continue to strengthen cooperation with Arab countries under the Belt and Road Initiative, the Global Development Initiative and the Global Security Initiative.

Xi made the remarks during his meetings with Arab leaders ahead of the first China-Arab States Summit and the Gulf Cooperation Council-China Summit, which kicked off on Friday in the Saudi capital Riyadh.

In his talks with Arab leaders, Xi has consistently emphasized the vital importance of sovereignty, territorial integrity, economic development and international cooperation.

National sovereignty

President Xi put forward the Security and Cooperation Initiative in his keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the Forum Boao Forum for Asia 2022 annual conference. Xi advocated six principles, including that countries should respect each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity, support non-interference in internal affairs, reject the Cold War mentality and oppose unilateralism so that countries can together promote security for all in the world.

In meetings with more than a dozen political leaders of Arab countries, including the leaders of Palestine, Egypt, Sudan, Kuwait, Tunisia and Iraq, Xi said China regards Arab countries as important forces in the multipolar world and attaches great importance to developing strategic partnerships with them.

The current international and regional situation is undergoing profound and complex changes, and China firmly supports all Arab countries in safeguarding their national sovereignty, security and stability, and supports countries in the Arab world in pursuing development paths that suit their national conditions. China also steadfastly opposes foreign interference in their internal affairs, Xi said.

No matter how the international and regional situation changes, China has always firmly supported the just cause of the Palestinian people to restore their legitimate rights and interests, Xi said. The international community should prioritize the Palestinian issue on the international agenda, maintain the direction of the two-state solution and the "land for peace" principle, and facilitate the resumption of peace talks on the basis of relevant UN resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative, Xi said.

Referring to the national development strategies of many countries, including Saudi Vision 2030, the Middle East Green Initiative, Kuwait Vision 2035, Djibouti Vision 2035, Qatar National Vision 2030, and Comoros Emerging Plan 2030, he said China will further align China's development policies, implement the outcomes of the Forum on China-Arab Cooperation and China-Africa Cooperation with the development strategies of these countries, to bring cooperation between China and Arab countries to a new and higher level.

China will continue to provide assistance to Arab developing countries within its capacity and encourage Chinese companies to invest in order to improve the livelihood of local people and promote economic and social development, Xi said.

International cooperation

During his meetings with Arab leaders, Xi pledged that China would continue to cooperate with its Arab counterparts in areas including counter-terrorism and poverty eradication.

Over the years, China has helped Mauritania develop roads, bridges, hospitals and other major projects that benefit people's well-being, Xi emphasized, adding that China will continue to encourage Chinese companies to actively participate in Mauritania's energy, infrastructure and other sectors for the benefit of the Mauritanian people.

Acknowledging the Somali government's mission to fight terrorism, Xi said China supports the Somali government in enhancing its ability to maintain stability and combat terrorism.

Noting that China has implemented a number of health, sports and human resource training projects in recent years in Tunisia, Xi said China is willing to steadily strengthen cooperation with Tunisia in areas such as healthcare, infrastructure, high and new technologies, expand human resource exchanges, as well as local and non-governmental exchanges, and welcome more marketable products and specialties from Tunisia to China.

China and Arab countries have strengthened cooperation in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. For example, Bahrain was one of the first countries in the world to adopt the Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine.

Xi said China would also like to enhance medical and health cooperation, as well as promote Chinese language education in Bahrain.

Source: Dunya Al-Watan