Cairo (UNA/Xinhua) – With the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the Arab states, relations between the two sides are witnessing a new historical stage characterized by the depth of partnership and the expansion of areas of cooperation, to consolidate the path of common development. The relationship between China and the Arab states is no longer limited to trade figures, but has extended to innovation and convergence of values and opinions on achieving national rejuvenation, maintaining international justice, and exploring paths of modernization.
Over the past decades, cooperation in the energy and infrastructure sectors has been a cornerstone of Sino-Arab relations. However, this partnership is now undergoing a qualitative shift from a phase of "resource integration" to one of "industrial integration and joint development."
China is the world's largest importer of crude oil, while Arab states are a major force in the global energy market. Previously, cooperation between the two sides was limited to oil trade, but today it has expanded to include the development of integrated industrial chains in refining, petrochemicals, and new energy.
In this context, the Yanbu Aramco Sinopec Refining Company (YASREF) in Saudi Arabia has emerged as a model of Sino-Saudi cooperation in the energy sector. Since its commissioning, the refinery has contributed to supporting the Saudi local economy and boosting the petrochemical industries, becoming a successful example of industrial partnership between the two countries.
Cooperation in the field of infrastructure is also witnessing rapid development, as Chinese companies are no longer limited to implementing engineering projects, but are now contributing to driving industrial development and urban transformation in the region.
From the East-West Highway in Algeria to the Central Business District in Egypt's New Administrative Capital, Chinese companies continue to support development efforts in Arab countries.
In the United Arab Emirates, the China-UAE Model Zone for Production Capacity Cooperation has become a living example of economic integration under the Belt and Road Initiative.
Reem Al Muhairi, director of industrial projects management at one of the Emirati partner companies, said in an interview with Xinhua News Agency that cooperation with the Chinese side “is not limited to importing equipment, but also includes the transfer of knowledge, expertise and advanced technology.”
With the acceleration of digital transformation in the Middle East and the launch of several national development plans, such as “Saudi Vision 2030” and “Qatar National Vision 2030”, Chinese technology has become an important driver of the modernization process in the region.
The digital economy is one of the fastest growing areas of Sino-Arab cooperation in recent years, and China's expertise in the fields of the internet and smart cities is compatible with the needs of Arab markets.
Chinese companies have contributed to the establishment of 5G networks, data centers and cloud platforms in cities such as Riyadh, Dubai and Cairo, supporting the efforts of Arab governments in developing smart governance and digital services.
In the clean energy sector, China continues to strengthen its presence in Middle Eastern markets through photovoltaic solar energy technologies. In several large-scale solar projects in Oman and the United Arab Emirates, Chinese technology has contributed to achieving an effective balance between efficiency and cost.
Recent Chinese customs data showed that the value of China's exports of photovoltaic solar power units to the Middle East and North Africa region reached 5.748 billion yuan (US$1 is worth about 6.9 yuan) during the first two months of this year.
Sino-Arab cooperation in the space sector has also made remarkable progress over the past two years, ranging from satellite development to the exchange of lunar exploration data. China's BeiDou navigation system is now widely used in smart agriculture and maritime rescue operations in several Arab countries.
The BeiDou center in Tunisia is China’s first overseas center aimed at localizing navigation and training technologies in the region.
In December 2023, China launched the Egyptian satellite “EgyptSat-2”. The project includes a small remote sensing satellite, a ground monitoring station and a ground application system, making Egypt the first African country to have the integrated capability to assemble, integrate and test satellites.
Observers believe that the strength of Chinese-Arab relations is based not only on intertwined economic interests, but also on convergence of visions and values and respect for cultural diversity.
The Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, affirmed that Arab-Chinese relations are not based solely on economic and trade interests, but also on a broad system of shared values.
Both the Chinese and Arab sides consistently emphasize respect for national sovereignty and non-interference in internal affairs, support the right of countries to choose their development paths according to their national conditions, and oppose hegemony and power politics.
At the same time, China and the Arab states are committed to upholding the international system based on the UN Charter and international law, defending multilateralism, and promoting the voice of developing countries in global governance.
Tian Wenlin, a professor of international relations at Renmin University of China, said that China’s governance concepts based on dialogue, tolerance, and mutual learning among civilizations are gaining increasing acceptance in the Arab world. He added that China rejects the “clash of civilizations theory” and “color revolutions,” which aligns with the aspirations of many Arab countries.
Both sides also agree that development is the key to achieving security and stability, and that every country has the right to choose the path of modernization that suits its national reality, free from any external dictates.
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