Broader vision of Arab ties

TAKING ARAB COUNTRIES AS "NATURAL partners" in building the Silk Road economic belt and 21st century Maritime Silk Road he has envisioned, Chinese President Xi Jinping's proposal of a "China-Arab community of common interests and common destiny" shows the Chinese leadership's aspiration to build on the past glories of China-Arab interaction. Such a goal appears more achievable than ever thanks to the now 10-year-old China-Arab States Cooperation Forum.

China is on good terms with Arab countries not only because they have a common desire to work together but also because both sides cherish mutual respect. They have done so since long ago.

The ancient Silk Road would not have been what it was without a shared interest in friendly exchanges. China and Arab countries have been partners in both trade and cultural communication long before the birth of some of them as modern states. No other relations offer a better example of dialogue between civilizations.