Egyptian expert: Arab-Chinese cooperation sets a model for South-South cooperation

Source International Online

Reporter Ren Lijun
On May 30, the 10th Ministerial Conference of the China-Arab Cooperation Forum was successfully held in Beijing and achieved fruitful results. Nadia Hilmi (Nadia Helmy), an expert on China and a professor of political science at Beni Suve University in Egypt, pointed out in an exclusive interview with international online reporters that the meeting is the first ministerial meeting held by the China-Arab Cooperation Forum after the first China-Arab Summit, which is of great significance as a link between the past and the future. Arab countries and China have reached consensus in many areas, which will inject more new impetus into Arab-Chinese relations.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum. Nadia Hilmi said that the China-Arab Cooperation Forum is a platform for strengthening bilateral relations between Arab countries and China and deepening mutual understanding and strategic cooperation between the two sides. Over the past 20 years, the Forum has always adhered to the purpose of "strengthening dialogue and cooperation and promoting peace and development" and established various mechanisms. it has made important contributions to strengthening ideological and cultural exchanges between Albania and China, promoting dialogue among civilizations, and deepening bilateral cooperation in various fields, and has become a "gold-lettered signboard" for dialogue and practical cooperation between Albania and China, making Albania-China cooperation one of the most prominent and successful models of cross-regional cooperation.

On the 30th, King Hamad of Bahrain, President Sisi of Egypt, President Said of Tunisia, and President Mohamed of the United Arab Emirates attended the opening ceremony of the 10th Ministerial Conference of the China-Arab Cooperation Forum. Nadia Hilmi believes that this reflects the continuous deepening of Arab-Chinese relations in recent years. Arab-Chinese relations are committed to establishing a comprehensive cooperation, common development, and future-oriented strategic partnership. At present, China has established a comprehensive strategy with more than a dozen Arab countries. Partnership or strategic partnership, the scale of trade between China and Arab countries has also increased significantly.

As a scholar from Egypt, Nadia Hilmi specifically mentioned that Egyptian President Sisi's attendance at the 10th Ministerial Conference of the China-Arab Cooperation Forum is an opportunity for both sides. China has become Egypt's largest trading partner for 12 consecutive years. China's investment in Egypt has promoted the development of Egypt's social and economic fields and strengthened the confidence of the international market in Egypt. Nadia Hilmi believes that Egypt's economic development needs a reliable partner like China. Egyptian President Sisi's attendance at the meeting will help strengthen political mutual trust between Egypt and China and strengthen bilateral cooperation in the fields of economy, trade, investment, agriculture, and infrastructure construction.

Nadia Hilmi pointed out that Arab countries and China have a broad consensus on international affairs, including: respect for national sovereignty, non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries, opposition to unipolarization, and advocacy of multilateralism. In addition, the two sides also support each other on major issues. China shares the same position with Arab countries on the Palestinian issue, emphasizing that the "two-state solution" is the only way to resolve the crisis.

Nadia Hilmi said that all Arab countries, including Egypt, agree with China's global security initiative and call for unity to adapt to the rapidly changing international situation, address security challenges, eliminate the root causes of international conflicts, strengthen global security governance and promote lasting peace and development in the world. In addition, the Arab countries have unanimously agreed to build a "China-Arab Community of Destiny" and a "Community of Human Destiny. Arab countries regard China as a trustworthy partner, China continues to increase its opening up, and the joint construction of "Belt and Road Initiative" between Arab countries and China is going deeper and deeper.

Nadia Hilmi finally said that at present, the development of Arab-Chinese relations has entered a new stage, and Arab-Chinese cooperation has set a model of South-South cooperation. The 10th Ministerial Conference of the China-Arab Cooperation Forum is the first ministerial meeting held by the Forum after the first China-Arab States Summit. It is of great significance as a link between the past and the future. It is an opportunity for the two sides to further deepen cooperation in various fields. Arab countries and China have reached consensus in many fields., Will inject more new impetus into Arab-Chinese relations.

—END—