On July 6, 2020, the ninth Ministerial Conference of the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum (CASCF) was successfully held. At such a critical moment in the global fight against another human infectious disease, foreign ministers of China and Arab countries are connected via video link to discuss the joint COVID-19 battle and to renew friendship in pursuit of common development. Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory letter to the ministerial meeting. Three outcome documents, namely the Joint Statement of China and Arab States on Solidarity against COVID-19, the Amman Declaration of the Ninth Ministerial Meeting of the CASCF, and the Execution Plan for 2020-2022 of the CASCF, that were reached after discussions, pool great strengths toward defeating COVID-19 with solidarity and cooperation between China and Arab states, deepening their strategic partnership and building the China-Arab community of a shared future.
The idea of sharing weal and woe must be upheld for a shared future. The time-honored ancient Silk Road represents a collective memory of friendly exchanges between China and the Arab world in history. Both Chinese and Arab nations fought hard for national independence and people’s liberation after epoch-making changes. They share a common development goal of carrying forward the Silk Road spirit and drawing up a blueprint for Belt and Road cooperation. Due to the similar experiences and common aspiration, the friendly relations between China and Arab states grow stronger despite of the unpredictable international situation, and remain dynamic through more than 50 years of glorious history, standing as a fine example of relationship between developing countries and South-South cooperation.
True gold could stand the test of fire. At the height of China’s battle against COVID-19, all 22 Arab states and other regional organizations including Arab League and Gulf Cooperation Council voiced support with one accord for China’s fight against the coronavirus. Member states of the Arab League donated to China valuable medical supplies including over 1,000 facial masks. Several airlines airlifted for free urgently-needed supplies for the Chinese side and set up fast tracks for epidemic response. Landmarks such as the Burj Khalifa Tower in the United Arab Emirates and Egyptian Pyramids were lit up in Chinese red in support of China’s anti-epidemic battle. Sudanese people and Arabs in other regions also sent their best wishes in various ways, such as shooting short videos, singing songs and pulling up banners. All of these gave concrete expression to great warmth from our fellow human beings despite of the merciless virus.
A drop of water in need should be returned with a spring in deed. China always remembers the profound feelings and friendship that Arab countries hold towards China, and, in return, extended a helping hand immediately when Arab countries were hit by the virus. Chinese President Xi Jinping reaffirmed, in his phone calls with or messages to the heads of multiple Arab countries, China’s firm determination to fight shoulder to shoulder with the Arab world. The Chinese government gave active assistance with the procurement of anti-epidemic materials by Arab countries in China, in support of their orderly resumption of work and business. Additionally, China has donated more than one million test kits and 13 million masks to Arab countries, shared its experience and medical know-how in preventing and treating the disease through holding online meetings with health experts of 21 Arab countries and sending medical expert teams to eight Arab nations. Valuing Sudan as a close friend, China sent an anti-epidemic medical expert team to Sudan, first of this kind dispatched to Arab countries amid the pandemic. The Chinese government has mobilized governmental and non-governmental resources to provide several batches of medical supplies that are urgently needed by Sudan. Through these practical actions, China demonstrates its determination to share weal and woe together with Sudan.
Through mutual assistance, unity and cooperation, China and Arab states will emerge from the COVID-19 test with even higher-level strategic partnership, and pull together to make new strides in moving the vision of building the China-Arab community of a shared future from theory to practice.
- Committed to building the China-Arab community of a shared future that enable the two sides to overcome challenges together. There is a broad consensus among the international community that the virus does not respect borders or discriminate between races. China and Arab nations will continue to strengthen cooperation in epidemic prevention and control and vaccine research and development, reject attempts to politicize the response, label the virus and stigmatize any specific country, and oppose racial discrimination and ideological bias. The two sides will uphold multilateralism, support the World Health Organization (WHO) in leading the global epidemic response and the improvement to the global public health governance system and pooling worldwide strengths, and contribute their due share to the global fight against COVID-19.
- Committed to building the China-Arab community of a shared future that is oriented towards sincerity and mutual trust. China and Arab states will remain steadfast in their support of issues concerning each other’s core interests and major concerns, and champion equity and justice. China will firmly support Arab states in maintaining national security and stability and pursuing a path of independent development, and firmly endorses the just cause of Palestine. No matter how the global landscape may change, China will stand firm with developing countries, stand on the right side of human progress, and continue to play a constructive role in promoting regional peace and stability. And Arab states firmly support China in safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity, resolutely uphold the one-China principle, endorse China’s legitimate positions and propositions in Hong Kong- and Xinjiang-related affairs, and object to the interference of external forces in China’s internal affairs.
- Committed to building the China-Arab community of a shared future that pursues common prosperity and win-win cooperation. In light of the fact that socialism with Chinese characteristics has entered a new era and Arab states are now at a critical stage regarding their transformation for development, the two economies share the same objective of realizing the dream of national rejuvenation through development. The Belt and Road initiative, aligned with the development strategy of Arab states, will be fully leveraged to tap the potential of China-Arab cooperation and inject sustainable vitality to regional development. China and Arab states will execute the plan on high-quality Belt and Road cooperation for the upcoming two years by deepening bilateral cooperation in a wide range of areas, including trade, investment, energy, science and technology, tourism and people-to-people interactions, and promoting dialogues among civilizations, in an effort to translate the great vision for China-Arab relations into tangible benefits to the peoples and contribute to the development and revival of both China and Arab nations.
Whatever we set our mind to, we must not rest until the job is done. As Chinese President Xi Jinping called on, at the 73th World Health Assembly, all countries to defeat the coronavirus with solidarity and cooperation, improve the global public health governance and collectively build a global community of health for all, there is no better time for China and Arab states to pursue development with unity and cooperation. We trust that the strategic partnership between China and Arab states are bound to be expanded and flourish in the new era through greater cohesion and unity in the fight against COVID-19. We are convinced that China-Arab friendship will surely be stronger and everlasting along the process of cooperation in building the China-Arab community of a shared future!
