China and Arab states enjoy a long history of friendly exchanges. But their relations are now the best they have ever been, the two sides having nurtured a friendly partnership featuring solidarity and mutual assistance, equality and mutual benefit, and inclusiveness and mutual learning.

China has been the largest trading partner of Arab countries for many years in a row, and it has signed cooperation documents on the Belt and Road Initiative with all 22 Arab countries and the Arab League. The two sides have implemented more than 200 large-scale cooperation projects under the BRI framework, benefitting people on both sides.

In December 2022, the two sides held their first summit and agreed to make every effort to build a China-Arab community with a shared future, and planned the blueprint for the development of China-Arab relations. The upcoming 10th ministerial meeting of the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum that opens in Beijing on Thursday is of great significance, as it is the first since the China-Arab Summit two years ago.

This year is the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum. Over the past 20 years, the forum has sought to strengthen dialogue and cooperation between the two sides for the purpose of promoting peace and development.

In an increasingly turbulent world, the two sides, which share similar views on regional and global issues, have supported each other on their respective development paths and sought to work together to jointly safeguard the common interests of the Global South. Hence, it can be expected that the upcoming gathering will not only help expand new horizons for China-Arab cooperation in a wide range of fields but also facilitate communication and forge consensus on issues of mutual concern.

With the Gaza conflict raging and wreaking havoc in the Middle East, it is anticipated that the two sides will voice a joint stance on the Palestine issue.

In stark contrast to the United States which has been the source of trouble and strife in the Middle East, China has always been committed to building peace and stability in the region and resolving differences and defusing conflicts through dialogues and negotiations.

It is expected that at their meeting in Beijing this week, the two sides will enhance their communication and exchanges and carry forward the spirit of China-Arab friendship by strengthening their solidarity.

The Palestine issue is fundamental to peace and stability in the Middle East. The injustices done to the Palestinian people should end immediately and their demand for an independent state should be met. It is to be hoped that the meeting in Beijing will help give greater momentum to the efforts to end the ongoing conflict in Gaza and build long-term stability in the Middle East.