STRATEGIC COOPERATION
Many experts believe the China-Arab Cooperation Forum manifests longstanding strategic cooperation between the two sides as China is a main friend and supporter of Arab nations while the Arabs look at the Asian giant with a different perception compared to the West in general.
During the ministerial meeting, the chief of the Arab League, Nabil al-Arabi, described China's relations with the Arab countries are "ideal," and said that the Arab world should "attach even more importance to the strategic cooperation between the two sides."
Araby added that "China is the only major state in the world that always supports Arab rights," hailing the strategic cooperation between the two sides and the Chinese "great influence" on the balance of international relations.
Diaa al-Fiqy, chief of Chinese-Egyptian Chamber of Commerce, referred to China as 'an honest and trusted partner that respects the sovereignty of its friends and never intervenes in other countries' affairs."
He added that China adopts a smart diplomacy as its attitudes are based on strategic thinking and never builds its diplomatic relationships on the action-reaction strategy, which is why China is regionally and internationally respected.
China has huge projects in the Middle East region, Africa and the Arab world, which encourages the Arab nations to enhance strategic ties with the Asian power and benefit from its development expertise.
"Arab cooperation with China should not be restricted to economy, but it should also be military, political and cultural. I believe the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum can achieve this," Fiqy told Xinhua.
"China has many development experiences the Arabs should learn from, as they paid dearly for following the terrible Western capitalism," Fiqy said, urging Arabs to take China as a successful development example "for the country is moving with stable swift pace towards a comprehensive development."
Wali, the vice chairman of Egypt-China Friendship Association, said that the Arab world should benefit from its strategic cooperation with China.
"The Arabs can learn from the Chinese development experience in the fields of education, banking, business and culture. They can shorten the time to reach high development levels by following on the footsteps of China," he told Xinhua, adding, "I believe many Arabs have already started to follow the Chinese development model."
"Promoting ties with many Arab countries to the level of strategic partnership is a proof of China's deeply-rooted friendship with the Arab world that views China as a successful model for a modern, strong, rich state," Wali said.
CHINA'S ROLE
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang told the forum Thursday that the Chinese and Arab sides realized the necessity of their firm mutual support for maintaining their respective core interests and easing regional tensions through dialogues.
"Politically, China is a peaceful country whose policies are based on dialogue not confrontation and has always been a backer of Arab rights for the past five decades without interference in the domestic affairs of any Arab countries," said Diaa al-Fiqy.
He added that China's role in the region is completely different from that of Western countries and the United States, which always work to divide the Arab region for personal interests and selfish policies.
Hassan, head of the Gulf Center for Strategic Studies, said that the Arabs try to get closer to China as a strong partner amid rising regional instability.
"China undoubtedly has a great role that it can play in the Arab region in support of the settlement of some issues including the turmoil in Yemen, Iraq, Syria and others," Hassan told Xinhua.
