The Arab-Chinese Riyadh Summit: Race for Progress, Renaissance

Saturday, 10 December, 2022

Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman asserted that "Arabs will race for progress and renaissance once again. We will prove that every day."

Speaking on behalf of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz during the closing ceremony of the Arab-Chinese Summit, the Crown Prince reiterated the resolve of the Arabs to strive for their progress and prosperity.

The Crown Prince concluded the work of the "Riyadh Arab-China Summit for Cooperation and Development" in the presence of Arab leaders, heads of delegations, and the President of China, at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Center in Riyadh on Friday.

He stressed that the historical relationship between the Arab countries and China is based on mutual respect, friendship, and cooperation in many fields.

"Our countries attach utmost importance to supporting the development process to develop their economies and the well-being of their peoples," noted the Crown Prince.

He added that the Arab region looks with great interest at China's steady growth and rapid technological progress, which has made it among the world's leading economies.

"The convening of this summit establishes a new phase for advancing the relationship between our countries and strengthening partnership in areas of common interest."

Prince Mohammed noted that to "achieve the future that our peoples aspire to, and for future generations to enjoy the desired prosperity, we must continue to strengthen cooperation in trade, investment and financial fields between the Arab countries and the People's Republic of China in their bilateral and multilateral framework, and develop political coordination on the international arena, towards regional and international issues of common concern."

The Crown Prince noted that Saudi Arabia works to promote international cooperation to meet the world's challenges and support global multilateral action within the framework of the principles of the UN to achieve a promising future for the people and future generations.

"We are aware of the challenge posed by climate change, and we believe in the need to find more sustainable and comprehensive solutions within the framework of a balanced approach that seeks to mitigate the negative effects while maintaining the levels of growth of the global economy, as we aim to reach carbon neutrality without affecting growth and supply chains."

Saudi Arabia values the cooperation of its international partnerships with the Arab countries and China within the Green Middle East Initiative framework, said Crown Prince Mohammed.

He said: "We affirm our readiness to interact positively with the initiatives that enhance our joint environmental work, taking into account the development interests of the countries and the varying capabilities between them."

As other international challenges, including food security and energy security, grow, it is essential to interact with serious initiatives seeking to activate cooperation and collective action, according to the Crown Prince.

He lauded the role of China in putting forward several valuable initiatives, notably the Friends of Global Development Initiative, which matches many aspects of Saudi Arabia's priorities towards supporting sustainable development and promoting food security.

Prince Mohammed added that regional and international development requires stable and secure environmental, political and social efforts, intensifying the international community's efforts to address regional and international issues.

"Saudi Arabia continues to exert all efforts to enhance security and stability in the region and support political solutions and dialogue to resolve regional and international conflicts."

The Kingdom also affirms the need for a just and permanent solution to the Palestine issue under international legitimacy resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative in a way that guarantees the Palestinian people's right to establish an independent state based on the pre-1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, said the Crown Prince.

"We appreciate the People's Republic of China's support of the two-state solution and the Arab Peace Initiative."

Saudi Arabia also supports efforts to reach a comprehensive political solution in Yemen to end the crisis, based on the three references, and "we commend the support of the People's Republic of China for Saudi initiatives towards Yemen."

The Kingdom also stresses the importance of doubling efforts to find political solutions to end the crisis in Syria and Libya to ensure security, stability, and prosperity in the two countries and their return to the joint Arab action circle.

He concluded his speech by reaffirming the importance of continuing Arab-Chinese cooperation in a way that serves both peoples' shared goals and aspirations and plays an influential role in the international arena.

The Crown Prince also expressed appreciation to the Arab League Secretary-General and the staff of the General Secretariat for their successful efforts in this regard.

For his part, Chinese President Xi Jinping described the summit as a landmark in the history of Chinese-Arab relations that will lead ties and cooperation between China and Arab states towards a brighter future.

In his speech at the summit, the President said the friendship between China and the Arab States continues with "its roots in the depths of history, where they met and got to know each other through the old Silk Road, shared through the struggle for national liberation."

The President considered equality and mutual benefit an inexhaustible driving force for Chinese-Arab friendship. The Chinese-Arab cooperation based on mutual benefit and typical gain is a role model, as 17 cooperation mechanisms were established between the two sides within the framework of the China-Arab Cooperation Forum.

During the past ten years, trade exchange exceeded $300 billion, the balance of direct mutual investment amounted to $27 billion, and more than 200 projects were implemented within the framework of cooperation in building the "Belt and Road" initiative, which eventually benefited nearly two billion people.

He added: "The Middle East region is witnessing new and profound changes, where the desire of the Arab peoples for peace and development has become more urgent."

"The Chinese and Arab sides, as strategic partners, must develop the spirit of friendship, strengthen solidarity and cooperation, and build a joint society, which will bring more benefits to the peoples of both sides."

He stressed the importance of adhering to independence and preserving common interests, supporting the Arab efforts to explore ways of development that align with their national circumstances and control their future and fate.

Xi said that China is keen to deepen mutual strategic confidence with the Arab side and exchange firm support to preserve the country's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national dignity.

The President added that the two sides adhere jointly to the principle of non-interference in internal affairs, the application of genuine multilateralism, and the defense of rights and the legitimate interests of developing countries.

He affirmed the Chinese side's keenness to work with the Arab side to implement the global development initiative and to strengthen South-South cooperation to achieve sustainable development, stressing the importance of maintaining peace in the region and attaining common security.

The President pointed out that China supports the Arab side in finding political solutions to thorny issues and building a standard, comprehensive, cooperative, and sustainable security system in the Middle East.

He urged the international community to respect the peoples of the Middle East and add positive energy that serves security and stability in the Middle East.

Xi indicated that the Chinese side welcomes participation with the Arab side in the global security initiative and is ready to continue contributing with Chinese wisdom in promoting peace and security in the Middle East.

The President stressed the importance of devoting shared human values of peace, development, fairness, justice, democracy, freedom, and mutual benefit between civilizations in the new era.

He highlighted China's keenness to work with the Arab side to implement the eight joint actions during the next three to five years, which cover the eight areas, namely "development, food security, health, green development and innovation, energy security, dialogue among civilizations, youth rehabilitation, and security and stability."

The President asserted that the Palestinian cause concerns peace and stability in the Middle East and puts the moral conscience of humanity at stake.

"The historical injustice suffered by the Palestinian people cannot continue indefinitely, and it is not permissible to compromise on legitimate national rights, and we look forward to the establishment of an independent state that does not accept rejection, and the international community must consolidate faith in a two-state solution, firmly adhere to the principle of lands in exchange for peace."

President Xi concluded that the Chinese-Arab strategic partnership has become based on comprehensive cooperation and joint development for a better future.

Xi urged the international community to respect the peoples of the Middle East and add positive energy that serves security and stability in the Middle East.

China established comprehensive strategic partnership relations with 12 Arab countries, each separately, and signed a cooperation agreement to build the Belt and Road with 20 Arab countries, as 17 Arab governments expressed their support for the global development initiative, and 15 Arab countries joined the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank.

He stressed that the Chinese-Arab relations achieved a historical leap, bringing tangible benefits to the two peoples, noting that the Chinese-Arab summit was a complete success, as the two sides agreed to work with all efforts to build a collaborative community for a shared future towards the new era.

For his part, Algerian Prime Minister Ayman Ayman ben Abdelrahman stressed that the summit aims to deepen cooperation between the Arab countries and China in various fields, noting the importance of boosting strategic ties, which contribute to the emergence of a multipolar world away from unilateral policies.

Meanwhile, Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani said in his speech that the Arab-Chinese summit is a dedication to the common political will to establish a cooperative model supporting a strategic partnership and a qualitative shift in the general path.

For his part, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi addressed the Arab-Chinese cooperation throughout history, stressing that the summit established the modern human civilization that "we are living, when the Pharaonic civilization, the civilization of Mesopotamia, as well as other civilizations in our Arab region connected with the ancient Chinese civilization to represent bright suns, guiding humanity in its cradle and helping it take its first steps."

He called for considering the summit as a new starting point for economic cooperation between the Arab world and China, urging Ethiopia to engage in good faith with Egypt and Sudan to reach a legally-binding agreement that secures the rights of development for "present and future generations and spares them from threats to their stability, security, and safety."

Furthermore, Tunisian President Kais Saied confirmed in his speech that there is no development in the absence of justice, asserting that everyone must work to build new foundations.

Saied noted that the Arab-Chinese summit seeks to open a new path in history.

The President of the United Republic of Comoros, Othman Ghazali, said the summit would contribute to clarifying policies on regional and international issues of common concern and promote political dialogue that aims to protect Arab-Chinese interests, support global peace, and achieve sustainable development in all fields.

Djiboutian President Ismail Omar Guelleh indicated that the Arab-Chinese Summit established a new era in the existing strategic partnership.

The head of the Libyan Presidential Council, Mohammed Yunes al-Menfi, explained that the rapid global economic and political developments require more flexibility in defining economic partnerships and moving away from traditional methods.

Menfi reiterated the importance of relations between the two countries for the stability of Libya, its independence, and territorial integrity.

In his speech, Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati said that the Arab world has many human and natural qualifications and is at the center of the world's concern, namely China, noting that the two sides are bound by friendship and shared interests.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas thanked the Saudi leadership for hosting the summit, which he described as "historic and important," culminating in years of Arab-Chinese dialogue.

Abbas stressed that Palestine would not abandon its commitment to international law, looking forward in these difficult circumstances to mobilize international support to implement the resolutions of international legitimacy and the Arab Peace Initiative.

He also called for backing Palestinian efforts to obtain recognition of the State of Palestine, full UN membership, securing international protection for the Palestinian people, and implementing international legitimacy resolutions about the Palestinian cause.

Also, Moroccan Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch described the summit as a historical event and a significant turning point in the relations between the two sides, saying it is an opportunity to add a new brick to the existing strong ties between the Arab world and China.

The head of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council, Rashad al-Alimi, lauded Saudi Arabia's hosting of the summit, saying it represents an opportunity for progress, prosperity, and development by formulating a common strategy for cooperation and unified visions for sustainable peace.

Alimi stressed that Yemen would continue to work to achieve the comprehensive peace that the people deserve, according to the three references.

Iraqi Prime Minister Muhammad Shia al-Sudani affirmed his country's support for all efforts to strengthen cooperation and friendship between Arab countries and China.

Sudani indicated that the summit is an opportunity for political and economic integration in the region by strengthening cooperation with China, noting that Iraq spares no effort to cooperate towards formulating a regional system that establishes stability and paves the way for prosperity.

Head of Sudan's Sovereign Council, Lieutenant General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, hoped the Riyadh summit would help boost and consolidate relations between the Arab world and China in all fields.

In his speech to the summit, he stressed that the Belt and Road Initiative is a practical model of cooperation, interdependence, and development worldwide.

For his part, the Arab League Secretary-General, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, stressed that Arab-Chinese relations have become crucial, during the past two decades, within the agenda of collective Arab diplomacy.

Aboul Gheit explained that China is the largest trading partner in the Arab world, pointing out that the relations between the two sides are not limited to economy and trade but rather stand on a solid foundation of cultural and human convergence between the two civilizations.

Source: Asharq al-Awsat.

Link: https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/4035561/arab-chinese-riyadh-summit-race-progress-renaissance.