Tour gives China-Arab strategic trust a boost

Foreign Minister Wang Yi's five-day tour of the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Jordan has reinforced strategic trust between China and Arab countries and advanced cooperation across multiple fields, as China steps up preparations for hosting the second China-Arab States Summit next year.

In an interview with Chinese media after concluding his tour on Tuesday, Wang said both sides agreed that head-of-state diplomacy should set long-term goals for the next stage of bilateral relations, pursue more systematic planning, and implement concrete measures.

As next year marks the 70th anniversary of the commencement of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Arab countries, Wang said both sides will strengthen coordination to ensure the success of the second summit, with head-of-state diplomacy providing strategic guidance for the future development of China-Arab relations.

At the first China-Arab States Summit in Riyadh in 2022, President Xi Jinping proposed eight major initiatives to advance China-Arab practical cooperation, and both sides announced the establishment of a China-Arab community with a shared future for the new era.

Wang said China stands ready to work with Arab countries to uphold the spirit of China-Arab friendship — marked by solidarity, equality, mutual benefit, inclusiveness and mutual learning — and to jointly pursue a brighter future in building a China-Arab community with a shared future.

As China is set to embark on implementing its 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) next year, Wang said leaders of the three countries expressed strong interest in the plan and agreed that its proposals send a clear signal of China's commitment to openness, cooperation, and win-win outcomes.

Li Zixin, an assistant research fellow at the Department for Developing Countries Studies, China Institute of International Studies, noted that China's plan aligns closely with Arab countries' strategies for economic diversification and green energy development, opening wider prospects for bilateral cooperation. It is expected to unlock further potential in emerging sectors such as new energy, the digital economy, and artificial intelligence.

Beyond economic cooperation, China also reaffirmed its commitment to regional stability and constructive engagement on security issues.

During his visit, Wang said all three countries praised China's long-standing impartial stance on the Palestinian question and expressed hope that China would continue to play a constructive role.

On the role of major powers in the region, Wang stressed that they should act as partners in the development of Middle Eastern countries — neither absent nor overstepping.

Regarding Palestine, Wang said the two-state solution remains the only viable path, and that "Palestinians governing Palestine" is a key foundation. Any plans for Gaza's future, he emphasized, must respect the will of the Palestinian people and consider the legitimate concerns of regional countries.

Since the outbreak of the conflict, China has provided multiple batches of humanitarian assistance to Gaza through the United Nations and other channels, including Egypt and Jordan. On Dec 4, it announced $100 million in aid to help alleviate the humanitarian crisis and support reconstruction efforts.

China encourages the international community to resolve disputes through dialogue and consultation by peaceful means, while continuously strengthening regional countries' capacity and resilience for independent development, and promoting stability through development and security through stability, Wang said.

Li from the China Institute of International Studies said China supports the strategic autonomy and self-reliance of regional countries and opposes any form of external intervention or geopolitical rivalry.

"China's aim is neither to replace other powers nor to dominate the region, but to be a reliable partner for Middle Eastern countries," Li said. "By promoting mutually beneficial cooperation through dialogue, China injects stability and positive energy into the region."

During the tour, all three countries reaffirmed their adherence to the one-China principle and expressed strong support for China in safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Mutual support on issues concerning each other's core interests constitutes the historical foundation and political hallmark of China-Arab friendship, Wang said.

He said Arab countries' backing of China's position on Taiwan upholds fundamental norms of international relations and demonstrates that the one-China principle enjoys wide international recognition.

zhaojia@chinadaily.com.cn