TRENDS Symposium Explores Future Of China-Middle East Relations Amid Global Changes

TRENDS Research & Advisory, through its Virtual Office in China, began its involvement in the 31st Beijing International Book Fair 2025. They organised a symposium titled "Prospects for China–Middle East Relations in Light of Global Transformations" at their booth in the China National Convention Centre. The event explored various aspects of China-Middle East relations amid global changes.

Participants at the seminar, led by Farida Bai Yi Nan from China Today magazine, examined the Belt and Road Initiative's role in boosting Arab-Chinese economic ties. Discussions also covered cultural and educational cooperation opportunities between China and Arab countries, China's stance on Middle Eastern issues, and how Chinese intellectuals view partnerships with Gulf and Arab states.

Hu Jiyuan from Zhejiang International Studies University highlighted cultural cooperation as crucial in China-Arab relations. She noted that knowledge exchange between these regions has strengthened significantly. For instance, over 48 Chinese universities now teach Arabic, while interest in learning Chinese is growing across the Arab world. The UAE and Saudi Arabia have integrated Chinese into their national curricula.

The Middle East hosts more than 20 Confucius Institutes, further promoting educational collaboration. Abdulaziz Al Shehhi from TRENDS described China-Arab relations as a unique civilisational model blending tradition with future aspirations. He emphasised that both regions share a vision for prosperity without sacrificing history or cultural identity.

Al Shehhi pointed out significant developments in bilateral relations recently, not just in trade but also in cultural and educational cooperation. These efforts are vital for building mutual understanding between peoples. He mentioned the UAE as a prime example of Sino-Arab cooperation due to its status as China's top trading partner in the Middle East and North Africa.

The UAE has announced $10 billion investments in joint cultural and educational projects with China over the next decade. Yang Yuxin from Zhejiang Normal University explained that both nations aim to contribute positively to peace and conflict resolution globally, especially in the Middle East.

Trade and Tourism Growth

Yang added that China is the UAE's largest trading partner, while the UAE is a major market for Chinese exports and investments. Cooperation has expanded significantly in renewable energy sectors like photovoltaic power plants and wind energy. The UAE remains a top destination for Chinese tourists, attracting over one million visitors last year.

Additionally, there are more than 100 Chinese schools in the UAE, enhancing educational exchanges further. This growth underscores the deepening ties between these two regions across various sectors.

The symposium highlighted how cultural exchanges form an essential part of strengthening China-Middle East relations. By fostering mutual understanding through education and trade initiatives, both regions continue to build a prosperous future together while respecting their rich histories.

With inputs from WAM