China-Arab youth forum pushes for mutual development efforts

Youths from China and Arab states were called on to promote mutually beneficial endeavors and implement the Belt and Road Initiative on Wednesday at the third China-Arab States Young Political Leaders Forum in Zhuhai, Guangdong province.

China has signed cooperative BRI documents with 22 Arab countries and the League of Arab States and implemented more than 200 projects in the past decade, transforming the lives of numerous youths, said Liu Jianchao, head of the International Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, at the forum.

Liu expressed hope that China-Arab youths will unite and pioneer global reform to build a fairer and more equitable future for the next generation.

Liu said China aspires to achieve consistent synergy with Arab states regarding development strategies and enhanced cooperation in oil and gas, trade and infrastructure. This includes cooperation in areas that interest youth, such as digital technology, artificial intelligence and new energy.

Representatives of political parties, governments, think tanks, media and universities from 21 Arab countries and their Chinese counterparts participated in the forum, which was held offline for the first time.

The participants visited the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge and Zhuhai enterprises that manufacture home appliances, general aircraft and printing and imaging products.

The development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area is the epitome of China's continued deepening of reform, Liu said.

China will focus on opening up so that its vast market will bring more opportunities to other countries, including Arab nations.

Scientific and technological innovation is also empowering the cooperation between China and Arab states in an all-around way, he said.

According to Mohammad Shtayyeh, former prime minister of Palestine, the forum serves as an important platform to explore and bring into play the role of youth in strengthening the ties between China and Arab states.

He said he hopes that the strategic nature of such ties is heightened not only for economic and trade cooperation but also for the reconfiguration of the international system.

China has become the largest trading partner of Gulf and Arab states, with cooperation encompassing fields such as energy, infrastructure, technology and artificial intelligence, said Hasan Almuhanna, an editor of Kuwait's Al-Jarida newspaper.

Exchanges between China and Arab states have been enhanced with student exchange programs, the establishment of cultural centers and joint research and training, which help youth acquire the technology for sustainable development, he said.

He called for the creation of cooperative projects led by youths from China and Kuwait since they play a key role in fields including technology and innovation, renewable energy and artificial intelligence.