Devoting the spirit of Chinese-Arab friendship and working hand in hand to build the Chinese-Arab community for a common future towards the new era -- a keynote address by the President of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping at the opening session of the first China-Arab Summit..
(Riyadh, on December 9, 2022)
Esteemed colleagues,
Friends,
Hello!
I thank the Saudi side for its warm hospitality and careful arrangements. I am pleased to meet with colleagues under one roof to hold the first Chinese-Arab summit. This summit, which is a milestone in the history of Chinese-Arab relations, will certainly lead the friendship and cooperation between China and the Arab countries towards a better future!
The friendly communication between China and the Arab countries is rooted in the depths of history, as they met and got to know each other through the ancient Silk Road, shared thick and thin in the struggle for national liberation, achieved cooperation and mutual gain in the stream of economic globalization, and continued to uphold right and justice in the changing and volatile world. , and crystallized the spirit of Sino-Arab friendship represented in "solidarity, synergy, equality, mutual benefit, inclusiveness and mutual benefit."
Solidarity and synergy are an outstanding feature of Sino-Arab friendship. China and the Arab countries trust each other, and are bound by fraternal feelings, as we exchange firm support on issues related to the core interests of the other side, unite and advance together in the cause of realizing the dreams of the nation's renaissance, and join hands in the spirit of one team in the battle against the emerging Corona virus pandemic. The Sino-Arab strategic partnership relations based on comprehensive cooperation, common development and a better future have become strong and uninterrupted.
Equality and mutual benefit are the inexhaustible driving force of China-Arab friendship. Sino-Arab cooperation based on mutual benefit and win-win is a model for South-South cooperation. Where 17 cooperation mechanisms were established between the two sides within the framework of the China-Arab Cooperation Forum. During the past 10 years, the volume of trade exchange between China and the Arab countries increased by 100 billion US dollars, and the total amount exceeded 300 billion US dollars. The balance of Chinese direct investment in the Arab countries amounted to 23 billion US dollars, an increase of 2.6 times; More than 200 projects have been implemented within the framework of cooperation in building the "Belt and Road", which has benefited nearly two billion people.
Inclusiveness and mutual benefit are the values of China-Arab friendship. The Chinese and Arab civilizations admire each other and record wonderful historical episodes of mutual learning and mutual benefit. We draw inspiration from the ancient civilization of the other side, and spread together the true meaning of civilization, which is "concern for peace, advocacy for harmony, adherence to pledges, and the pursuit of truth." We steadfastly defend originality in the face of incitement to the clash of civilizations. Together, we call for dialogue among civilizations, combat cultural discrimination, and preserve cultural diversity in the world.
Colleagues and friends!
Currently, the world has entered a new phase of turbulence and transformation, and the Middle East region is witnessing new and profound changes. The Arab peoples' desire for peace and development has become more urgent, and their calls for fairness and justice have intensified. In this context, the Chinese and Arab sides, as strategic partners, should inherit and develop the spirit of Sino-Arab friendship, strengthen solidarity and cooperation, and build a closer community of shared future between China and the Arab countries, which brings more benefits to the peoples of both sides and contributes to the cause of progress for humanity.
We must uphold independence and safeguard common interests. The Chinese side supports the efforts of Arab countries to explore development paths that are in line with their national conditions and to control their future and destiny in their own hands. The Chinese side is keen to deepen the strategic mutual trust with the Arab side, and to exchange firm support in the efforts of the other side to preserve the country's sovereignty, territorial integrity and national dignity. Both sides should jointly adhere to the principle of non-interference in internal affairs, implement true multilateralism, and defend the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries.
We should focus on economic development and promote win-win cooperation. It is necessary to strengthen the alignment of development strategies and build a high-quality "Belt and Road". It is necessary to consolidate traditional cooperation in the fields of economy, trade, energy, infrastructure, etc., and to strengthen emerging growth poles such as green and low-carbon development, health, investment, and finance, and to open new horizons in the fields of aviation, space, digital economy, and the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, and to deal effectively with existing major challenges such as food security. and energy. The Chinese side is keen to work with the Arab side to implement the global development initiative and to strengthen South-South cooperation to achieve sustainable development.
We must maintain peace in the region and achieve common security. The Chinese side supports the Arab side in finding political solutions to hot and thorny issues with Arab wisdom, and in building a joint, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security system in the Middle East. We urge the international community to respect the peoples of the Middle East as the masters of the region, and to inject positive energy that serves security and stability in the Middle East. The Chinese side welcomes the Arab side's participation in the global security initiative, and is willing to continue contributing Chinese wisdom to promoting peace and security in the Middle East.
We should promote civilized exchanges and increase mutual understanding and trust. It is necessary to expand the scope of personnel exchange, deepen humanitarian and cultural cooperation, and exchange experiences in governance and administration. It is necessary to jointly reject "Islamophobia", conduct cooperation in deradicalization, and refuse to link terrorism to a specific race or religion. It is necessary to devote common human values of peace, development, fairness, justice, democracy and freedom, and to set an example for communication and mutual benefit between civilizations in the new era.
We saw with satisfaction that it was agreed at this summit to work with all efforts to build the Chinese-Arab community for a common future towards the new era, with the development of "the broad lines of a comprehensive cooperation plan between China and the Arab countries", in order to jointly plan the prospects for the development of Chinese-Arab relations. As the first step to building the Chinese-Arab community for a common future and implementing the "broad lines of the comprehensive cooperation plan between China and the Arab countries", the Chinese side is keen to work with the Arab side to implement the "eight joint actions" during the next three to five years, which cover the following eight areas, consolidating Development, food security, health, green development and innovation, energy security, dialogue among civilizations, training of youth, security and stability. The Chinese side has informed the Arab side of the detailed contents of the "Eight Joint Actions", and will work with the Arab side to implement them as soon as possible and achieve an early harvest.
Colleagues and friends!
The Palestinian issue concerns peace and stability in the Middle East. The historical injustice suffered by the Palestinian people cannot continue indefinitely, legitimate national rights cannot be compromised, and aspirations for the establishment of an independent state cannot be rejected. The international community must firmly believe in the "two-state solution", firmly adhere to the principle of "land for peace", and unswervingly make commendable efforts to advance peace negotiations, increase humanitarian and development assistance to Palestine, and advance a just and urgent solution to the Palestinian issue. The Chinese side welcomes the recent significant progress made by Arab efforts to advance internal Palestinian reconciliation. I would like to reaffirm that the Chinese side firmly supports the establishment of an independent and fully sovereign State of Palestine on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, supports Palestine's full membership in the United Nations, and will continue to provide humanitarian aid to the Palestinian side to support the implementation of livelihood projects, and will also increase donations To the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East.
Colleagues and friends!
The CPC recently successfully held the 20th National Congress, in which tasks and methods for comprehensively advancing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through Chinese-style modernization were outlined, and ambitious outlines for China's future development were drawn up. The Chinese side is committed to maintaining world peace, promoting common development and advancing the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. The Chinese side unswervingly adheres to an independent foreign policy of peace and upholding international justice and fairness, and is committed to developing friendship and cooperation with all countries on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence and deepening and expanding global partnerships. It firmly adheres to the open-up strategy based on mutual benefit and win-win, and pushes for high-level openness and joint construction of the "Belt and Road" with high quality, which provides new opportunities for all countries, including Arab countries, through China's new development.
Colleagues and friends!
A great cause begins with a dream and is accomplished with concrete action. Let us devote the spirit of Chinese-Arab friendship and work hand in hand to build the Chinese-Arab community for a common future towards the new era, and work together to create a more splendid and bright future for Chinese-Arab relations!
Thank you!
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