A clearer role in the Middle East
- By Hichem Karoui
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E-mail Beijing Review, February 2, 2016
Relationship roadmap
In 1955, the First Asian-African Conference (Bandung Conference) in Indonesia was an opportunity for Chinese leaders to get in touch with the Arab world and the Middle East. From that time, China's relations with African and Arab countries have improved. Diplomatic ties with Egypt, Syria and Yemen were established in 1956. A few others followed, such as Iraq, Morocco, and the Sudan, while other Arab countries would join later on. Today, China has established diplomatic ties with all Arab countries, and 50 of the 53 African countries.
It is important to note that Arabs have welcomed a benevolent Chinese role, for peace, stability, and sustainable development in their region; and China has finally responded favorably to such solicitations.
In the foreword of China's Arab Policy Paper, readers are reminded of China's clear support to the Arab national causes of independence and development--including Palestine--starting from the 1950s. In return, the Arabs have given China strong support in restoring its lawful seat at the UN and on issues like the Taiwan question.
In 2004, the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum was established, which was a major step toward the later establishment of the strategic cooperative relations of comprehensive cooperation and common development between China and Arab countries. China's Arab Policy Paper, as it explains, celebrates 60 years of friendly cooperation with Arab countries and helps one to understand China's policy and objectives in the Arab world.
Xi's state visits to Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Iran have served to emphasize these choices, which inaugurated a new age of close cooperation with the Arab world. China's policy in the Middle East has already gained ground with the Belt and Road Initiative, and Arab and Iranian leaders are getting a taste of Chinese inclinations. This is the occasion for China to link the development in the Middle East to its initiative. Conjugated with the new blueprint on China's Arab policy, Xi's meetings with leaders of host nations would also have an important impact on the prevailing situation in the region, alongside the ever-important agenda of advancing economic cooperation and trade.
The author is an expert on international affairs and author of several books on the Middle East/North Africa region
