China opened a conference with Arab countries Thursday, hoping to upgrading relationship to a strategic level and release an action plan for a cooperation blueprint in the next two years. The two-day China-Arab Cooperation Forum in Tianjin brings together 22 leaders from Arab states to discuss strengthening political, cultural and economic cooperation. “China and the Arab states have decided to promote cooperation ... and to establish a strategic relationship of comprehensive cooperation and common development,” said Song Aiguo, director general of the Department of West Asia and North African Affairs with the Chinese Foreign Ministry. China and the Arab states began to describe their relationship as a “new partnership” since the forum was established in 2004. The strategic ties also show that China is placing increasing emphasis on ties with the Arab bloc. “In the international system, Arab states enjoy a strategic edge due to their important geographical location and rich resources of oil and natural gas, as well as their influential Islamic system,” said Zhu Weilie, director of Middle East Studies Institute with Shanghai International Studies University, in an article posted on the People's Daily website. Zhu said Arab states are especially important given the changing structure of the international system. “China has more say now. For instance, the country is playing a pivotal role in the world economic recovery. Regarding enhanced strategic cooperation, the Arab states will benefit from it, but China also is very willing to engage as it is in line with its all-directional diplomacy,” said Sheng Bin, an expert on world economy in Tianjin-based Nankai University. “Closer relations are very important for long-term development of ties as well as the restructuring of the international political and economic order,” Sheng told Xinhua. China and Arab states have recently increased cooperation in areas like trade, energy, investment, tourism and personnel training. Trade hit almost $110 billion in 2009, about 100 times more than that of 30 years ago. China-Arab cooperation is increasing, but it seems far from enough. Analysts say the two sides need to tap potential for cooperation and make full use of each other's advantages. “China has the advantage in service trade and industry technology while some Arab countries have the advantage in financial services,” said Sheng. China is working on a free trade pact with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which groups Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
