Two-way approach sees trade routes flourish

In April last year, a center for reform and development studies was set up at Zhu's university to promote exchanges between China and Arab countries in governance and economic development.

"With growing imperatives in the alignment of development strategies of Arab states with Belt and Road construction, sharing respective experiences in governance becomes more important than ever," Zhu said.

Coupled with people-to-people communication, the spirit of the ancient Silk Road featuring peace and cooperation, openness and inclusiveness, mutual learning and mutual benefit will be passed on, he added.

Shalabi shares Zhu's view, saying more and more Arab businesspeople want to know how the initiative benefits them.

As an increasing number of Arabs flock to Yiwu for business, commercial disputes arise from time to time. When businesspeople approach Shalabi for help, the hospitable Jordanian volunteers to be a dispute mediator or solution provider.

He said that as long as they come to him, he will try his best to offer a solution, adding that if he fails to come up with a solution, he will try to find somebody else to help them.

"This is the way life is. People should help each other," he said.