Panel Discussion Sheds Light On Strengthening China-Arab World Relations

Officials, experts, and researchers have highlighted the strengthening ties between China and Arab nations, particularly the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. These relations have spanned over four decades. This was discussed in a panel titled "Global Dialogue: China Shares Development Opportunities with the World," organised by TRENDS Research and Advisory in collaboration with the Chinese Embassy in the UAE and China Media Group.

Participants agreed that Arab-China relations are robust and resilient, with significant potential for cooperation in various fields. They stressed the importance of ongoing dialogue and idea exchange to ensure a prosperous future for these relations. They also recommended enhancing cooperation in trade, investment, scientific research, and technology.

The panel discussion began with a welcome address by Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al Ali, CEO of TRENDS Research and Advisory. He welcomed attendees and underscored the importance of international cooperation in addressing developmental challenges. He also highlighted the role of think tanks in providing innovative insights to enhance global development.

Dr. Al Ali emphasised TRENDS' interest in studying China's growth potential and its role in sharing development opportunities worldwide. He praised China's efforts to achieve economic growth targets for 2024 and noted continuous funding from Chinese development agencies to modernise developing economies.

In his keynote address, Zhang Yiming, Ambassador of China to the UAE, praised TRENDS' research efforts and collaboration with China Media Group on various occasions. He stated, "Since China's reform and opening up, the country has been working at the highest levels to enhance and monitor China's policies and future priorities, which has led to accelerated reform and development steps in China."

Zhang Yiming highlighted that China is implementing a new development pattern leveraging its vast domestic market while expanding external openness. This has resulted in China's GDP reaching 61 trillion yuan with an annual growth rate of five percent. He also emphasised the depth of UAE-China relations.

He noted that President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan's recent visit to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping strengthened relations further. The visit resulted in numerous agreements enhancing trade and economic partnerships between both countries.

Shen Haixiong, Vice Minister of the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, President and Editor-in-Chief of China Media Group, stated that China's reform efforts are extensive and powerful. "Since 2013, over 600 reform documents and over 3,000 reform plans have been approved at the central level," he said.

Media's Role

The panel discussion covered several themes moderated by Li Chao, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of China Media Group Middle East. The first theme focused on shared development opportunities like the Belt and Road Initiative, trade relations, and economic opportunities between GCC countries and China.

Zhao Liyan from CCPIT Representative Office presented an overview of China's development journey. She explained that China contributes 18 percent to the global economy while striving for international cooperation to achieve a "community with a shared future for humanity."

The second theme addressed how China shares development opportunities globally. Abdulaziz Al Shehhi from TRENDS stated that China has become a top trading partner for many countries through trade partnerships. He illustrated various forms of research cooperation between China and the UAE.

Youth Engagement

The third theme focused on media's role in enhancing cooperation between China and UAE. Dr. Hamad Al Kaabi from Aletihad News Center emphasised media's role in boosting commercial, cultural exchanges between both nations. He explained that media helps introduce people to each other's cultures enhancing mutual understanding.

Al Kaabi highlighted that UAE-China relations represent a unique "win-win" model with significant achievements over forty years in areas like energy, technology, culture besides trade exchanges.

The fourth theme discussed youth's perspective on Arab-China relations' future. Alanoud Al Hosani from TRENDS Youth Council emphasised youth's pivotal role in shaping this future due to their engagement with modern technologies exposure to different cultures making them capable of enhancing mutual understanding between both sides.

Shamma Ahmed Al Qutbah from TRENDS concluded saying: "Today we celebrate deep growing relations between China GCC countries extending more than four decades reflecting shared vision progress innovation prosperity."

With inputs from WAM