Friday, May 31, 2024

习近平, 深化合作,继往开来 推动中阿命运共同体建设跑出加速度 [Xi Jinping, "Deepen cooperation, carry forward the past and forge ahead Accelerate the construction of a China-Arab community with a shared future"]

 

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Chinese President and First Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party Xi Jinping delivered remarks at the opening of the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum in Beijing. 习近平, 深化合作,继往开来 推动中阿命运共同体建设跑出加速度 [Xi Jinping, "Deepen cooperation, carry forward the past and forge ahead Accelerate the construction of a China-Arab community with a shared future"]. In it Mr Xi elaborated on themes that have been in development since the end of COVID.

The American Press, now obsessed with the Israeli actions against Hamas in Gaza, filed to consider the raft of quite important potential strategic gestures that were also set put in the remarks. The Wall Street Journal reporting was perhaps typical of this unfortunate lens (at eats form the perspective of US long term interests):

In a speech opening the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum in Beijing, Chinese President Xi Jinping reiterated calls for a Palestinian state, called for a peace conference to resolve the Israel-Hamas war and pledged $69 million in humanitarian aid for Gaza and $3 million for a United Nations agency that assists refugees of the war. * * * The forum was established in 2004. Besides China’s expansive trade ties in the Middle East, it has increasingly sought to play a diplomatic role. In 2023, Beijing helped broker an agreement between Saudi Arabia and Iran to reestablish diplomatic relations. (Xi Makes Pitch to Arab Leaders at Summit in Beijing, Wall Street Journal 31 May 2024, print edition, p. A16; for similar coverage here, here, and here)

 But there was much more to the remarks than the flashy performance of Gaza tropes (and the small donation) for an audience that perhaps expected something along those lines, and global press organs desperate to have those tropes in quotable form to distribute. Among them the following:

1.   Mr. Xi reiterated the "Eight Joint Actions" ["八大共同行动”] as a basis for mutual engagement in a united front under the leadership of China. See "Xi Jinping proposed "eight major common actions" for China-Arab practical cooperation at the first China-Arab Summit (10 December 2022) [习近平在首届中国—阿拉伯国家峰会上提出中阿务实合作“八大共同行动”]. The eight joint actions include: (1) support the development of joint actions; (2) joint action on food security; (3) joint action on health; (4) joint action on green innovation; (5) joint action on energy security; (6) civilized dialogue and joint action; (7) young talents should act together; and (8) joint action for security and stability. None of this is new--many of these joint actions mimic those of the Belt & Road Initiative (BRI) and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. Yet that is precisely what lends the "Eight Joint Actions" power--mimesis across sometimes overlapping clusters of States and other mass organs with similar interests--the structure remains the same, but each is modified to suit context and conditions.

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2. Mr Xi tied the foundations of Chinese Arab side cooperation to key elements of emerging New Era policy central to the evolving nature and approaches to the development of productive forces to overcome the principal contradiction of the current stage of historical development--an approach to analysis now transposed onto the global theater. These include five central organizing categories: (1)  a more dynamic innovation-driven pattern; (2) a larger investment and financial structure; (3) a more three-dimensional energy cooperation structure; (4) a more balanced pattern of economic and trade reciprocity; and (5) a broader pattern of cultural exchange. These were the critical thematic offerings at the heart of the remarks. They will likely serve as the basis for structuring cooperation that is meant to be both mutual beneficial and displacing of the group of States which occupied the place China now sees as its natural role--if only by reason of its success.  

3. Mr Xi ended his remarks with a reference to sunshine. " 阿拉伯谚语说,朋友是生活中的阳光。我们将继续同阿拉伯朋友一道,弘扬中阿友好精神,团结共创未来,让构建中阿命运共同体的大道充满阳光!" [An Arab proverb says that friends are the sunshine in life. We will continue to work with our Arab friends to promote the spirit of China-Arab friendship, unite to create a better future, and let the road to building a China-Arab community with a shared future be filled with sunshine!]. Sunshine has certainly been a significant element of life in the Arab MENA. But like everything else, sunshine is a thing onto itself and its semiotics might be well worth considering as both sides consider the way that sunshine can be harnessed positively. 

The text of the remarks follows below in both the original and in a crude English translation. 


 

深化合作,往开

中阿命运共同体建跑出加速度

——在中阿合作论坛第十届部长级开幕式上的主旨讲话

 

2024530日,北京)

 

人民共和国主席 近平

 

尊敬的哈德国王,

 

尊敬的塞西总统

 

尊敬的赛义总统

 

尊敬的穆罕默德总统

 

阿盟秘书长盖特先生,各位代表团团长

 

各位嘉,各位朋友:

 

很高出席中阿合作论坛长级开幕式。每次同阿拉伯朋友相聚,我都倍感切。中国和中国人民同阿拉伯国家和人民的友丝绸古道上的友好往来,自争取民族解放的并肩斗,自国家建设进程中的合作共

 

新世以来,中阿关系不断上新台202212月,我赴沙特利雅得出席首届中阿峰会,和阿拉伯同事一致同意全力构建面向新代的中阿命运共同体。中方首届中阿峰会成果落情况感到意,愿同阿方发挥好峰会略引作用,持中阿关系跨越式展。在此,我高地向大家宣布,中方将于2026年在中国举办第二届中阿峰会,相信将成中阿关系又一座里程碑。

 

各位嘉、各位朋友!

 

当前,世界百年局正在加速演,中国和阿拉伯国家都肩实现各自民族振、加快国家建代使命。构建中阿命运共同体彰开辟中阿关系新元、开美好世界新未来的共同愿望。

 

中方愿同阿方守望相助,把中阿关系建维护世界和平定的杆。面对动荡不安的世界,相互尊重是和睦相之道,公平正是持久安全之基。我愿同阿方一道,尊重合国章宗旨和原,尊重各国人民自主选择,尊重史形成的客观现实,探索有利于维护公平正实现长治久安的问题解决之道。

 

中方愿同阿方平等互利,把中阿关系建成高量共建一路板。路精神薪火相,引中阿合作与,广泛惠及双方人民。面相互依存的世界,我愿同阿方持续对略,不断筑牢油气、易、基础设施等合作压舱石,加快培育人工智能、投融、新能源等新增点,共走新、绿色、繁荣之路。

 

中方愿同阿方包容互,把中阿关系建成不同文明和共生的典范。面更加多元的世界,对话多一分、抗就少一分,包容多一点、隔就少一点。和平、真知、信、包容是中阿人民共同追求。我愿同阿方共倡人文交流,弘全人共同价写不同文明互学互的新代典范。

 

中方愿同阿方作,把中阿关系建成探索全球治理正确路径的表率。人命运与共已成必然趋势,但治理赤字、信任赤字、和平赤字、展赤字不断加重,需要我秉持共商共建共享原,不断化全球治理。我愿同阿方共同倡平等有序的世界多极化和普惠包容的经济全球化,打造全球治理南南合作板。

 

各位嘉、各位朋友!

 

首届中阿峰会期,我提出推中阿务实合作八大共同行。一年多来,经过双方共同努力,中阿署共建一路合作文件实现全覆盖,科技研、技术转移取得新展,经贸、能源合作上新台志性的旗舰项目和小而美的惠民工程并行推,粮食安全、绿新、生健康等域合作走深走,人文交流合作平台高量运八大共同行取得重要早期收。下段,中方愿以此,同阿方构建五大合作格局,推中阿命运共同体建跑出加速度。

 

一是更富活力的驱动格局。中方将同阿方在生命健康、人工智能、绿色低碳、农业、空信息等域共建10实验室;愿同阿方加人工智能域合作,共同促人工智能经济,推形成具有广泛共的全球人工智能治理体系;愿同阿方共建空碎片观测中心、北斗用合作展中心,加人航天、民用客机等合作。

 

二是更具模的投金融格局。中方愿同阿方产业与投合作论坛继续中阿银联容,加快施中专项贷款、中阿金融合作专项贷款合作目。中方支持双方金融机构加合作,迎阿拉伯国家在华发熊猫迎阿方行机构加入人民跨境支付清算系,愿同阿方深化央行数字货币领域交流合作。

 

三是更加立体的能源合作格局。中方将同阿方一步加油气略合作,接供安全和市安全;愿同阿方合开展新能源技和装。中方将支持中国能源企和金融机构在阿拉伯国家参与装机容量超300万千瓦的可再生能源目。

 

四是更平衡的经贸互惠格局。中方将继续积极推动实30亿元人民展合作目;愿同阿方加快双和区域自由判,推动电子商合作对话机制建。中方迎阿方极参加中国国际进口博会,愿大自阿方口非能源品特品。

 

五是更广度的人文交流格局。中方愿同阿方全球文明倡中国-阿拉伯中心大中阿改革展研究中心模影响,加快智库联盟、青年论坛、大学盟、文化和旅游合作研究中心等平台建。中方将每年邀阿方200名政党领导访华,未来5年将同阿方力争实现1000万游客互访

 

各位嘉、各位朋友!

 

是一片展沃土,但片土地上火仍在延。去年10月以来,巴以冲突烈升,人民遭受沉重苦争不能再无限继续,正也不能永久缺席,两国方案更不能任意动摇。中方定支持建立以1967、以耶路撒冷首都、享有完全主的独立的巴勒斯坦国,支持巴勒斯坦成为联合国正式会国,支持召开更大模、更具威、更有效的国和会。中方将在前期1亿元人民币紧急人道主援助的基上,再提供5亿元人民援助,支持解加沙人道主危机和后重建;将向合国近巴勒斯坦民救和工程提供300万美元捐款,支持工程向加沙地区提供急人道主援助。

 

阿拉伯谚语说,朋友是生活中的阳光。我继续同阿拉伯朋友一道,弘中阿友好精神,团结未来,构建中阿命运共同体的大道充阳光!

 

谢谢

 

来源 | 

 

Deepen cooperation, carry forward the past and forge ahead
Accelerate the construction of a China-Arab community with a shared future
——Keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the 10th Ministerial Conference of the China-Arab Cooperation Forum


(Beijing, May 30, 2024)

Xi Jinping, President of the People's Republic of China

Dear King Hamad,

Dear President Sisi,

Dear President Said,

Dear President Mohammed,

Mr. Geit, Secretary-General of the Arab League, heads of delegations,

Dear guests, dear friends:

I am very happy to attend the opening ceremony of the Ministerial Conference of the China-Arab Cooperation Forum. Every time I meet with Arab friends, I feel very cordial. The friendship between China and the Chinese people and Arab countries and peoples stems from friendly exchanges on the ancient Silk Road, from fighting side by side for national liberation, and from win-win cooperation in the process of national construction.

Since the new century, China-Arab relations have continuously reached new levels. In December 2022, I went to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia to attend the first China-Arab Summit, and agreed with my Arab colleagues to make every effort to build a China-Arab community with a shared future for the new era. China is satisfied with the implementation of the outcomes of the first China-Arab Summit and is willing to work with the Arab side to play a strategic leading role in the summit and continue to promote the leapfrog development of China-Arab relations. Here, I am pleased to announce to you that China will host the second China-Arab Summit in China in 2026. I believe this will become another milestone in China-Arab relations.

Dear guests, dear friends!

At present, the world's century-old changes are accelerating. Both China and Arab countries shoulder the mission of the times to realize the rejuvenation of their respective nations and accelerate national construction. Building a China-Arab community with a shared future demonstrates our common desire to open up a new era in China-Arab relations and create a new future for a better world.

China is willing to help each other with the Arab side and build China-Arab relations into a benchmark for maintaining world peace and stability. In the face of a turbulent world, mutual respect is the way to live in harmony, and fairness and justice are the foundation of lasting security. We are willing to work with the Arab side to respect the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, respect the independent choices of people of all countries, respect the objective reality formed by history, and explore solutions to hot issues that are conducive to maintaining fairness and justice and achieving long-term peace and stability.

China is willing to work with the Arab side on an equal footing and mutually beneficial basis to build China-Arab relations into a model of high-quality joint construction of the Belt and Road Initiative. The spirit of the Silk Road has been passed down from generation to generation, leading China-Arab cooperation to keep pace with the times and benefiting the people of both sides. In the face of an interdependent world, we are willing to continue to align development strategies with the Arab side, continuously strengthen the ballast stones of cooperation in oil and gas, trade, infrastructure, etc., accelerate the cultivation of new growth points such as artificial intelligence, investment and financing, and new energy, and jointly embark on the road of innovation, greenness, and prosperity.

China is willing to be inclusive and learn from each other with the Arab side, and build China-Arab relations into a model of harmonious coexistence of different civilizations. In the face of a more diverse world, more dialogue means less confrontation, more tolerance means less estrangement. Peace, true knowledge, integrity, and tolerance are the common pursuits of the Chinese and Arab peoples. We are willing to work with the Arab side to advocate cultural exchanges, promote the common values ​​of all mankind, and write a new era model of mutual learning and mutual learning among different civilizations.

China is willing to work closely with the Arab side to build China-Arab relations into a model for exploring the correct path of global governance. It has become an inevitable trend that mankind shares a common destiny, but the governance deficit, trust deficit, peace deficit and development deficit are getting worse. We need to uphold the principle of extensive consultation, joint construction and sharing, and continuously optimize global governance. We are willing to work with the the Arab side to advocate an equal and orderly world multipolarization and inclusive economic globalization, and create a model of South-South cooperation in global governance.

Dear guests, dear friends!

During the first China-Arab States Summit, I proposed the "Eight Joint Actions" to promote practical cooperation between China and Arab countries. Over the past year, through the joint efforts of both sides, China and Arab countries have signed cooperation documents on the joint construction of the "Belt and Road" to achieve full coverage, scientific and technological research and development, technology transfer have made new progress, economic and trade, and energy cooperation have reached a new level, iconic flagship projects and "small and beautiful" people-friendly projects have been promoted in parallel, cooperation in food security, green innovation, health and other fields has been deepened and solid, and the cultural exchange and cooperation platform has been operating with high quality. The "Eight Joint Actions" have achieved important early results. In the next stage, China is willing to build a "five-cooperation pattern" with the Arab side on this basis to accelerate the construction of a community with a shared future between China and Arab countries.

First, a more dynamic innovation-driven pattern. China will build 10 joint laboratories with the Arab side in the fields of life and health, artificial intelligence, green and low-carbon, modern agriculture, space information, etc.; China is willing to strengthen cooperation with the Arab side in the field of artificial intelligence, jointly promote artificial intelligence to empower the real economy, and promote the formation of a global artificial intelligence governance system with broad consensus; China is willing to build a joint observation center for space debris and a Beidou application cooperation and development center with the Arab side, and strengthen cooperation in manned spaceflight and civil aircraft.

Second, a larger investment and financial structure. China is willing to establish an industrial and investment cooperation forum with the Arab side, continue to promote the expansion of the China-Arab Union Banking Group, and accelerate the implementation of the Middle East industrialization special loan and China-Arab financial cooperation special loan cooperation projects. China supports the two financial institutions to strengthen cooperation, welcomes Arab countries to issue "panda bonds" in China, welcomes Arab banking institutions to join the RMB cross-border payment and clearing system, and is willing to deepen exchanges and cooperation with the Arab side in the field of central bank digital currency.

Third, a more three-dimensional energy cooperation structure. China will further strengthen strategic cooperation with the Arab side in the oil and gas field to connect supply security and market security; China is willing to jointly carry out new energy technology research and development and equipment production with the Arab side. China will support Chinese energy enterprises and financial institutions to participate in renewable energy projects with a total installed capacity of more than 3 million kilowatts in Arab countries.

Fourth, a more balanced pattern of economic and trade reciprocity. China will continue to actively promote the implementation of 3 billion yuan of development cooperation projects; it is willing to accelerate bilateral and regional free trade agreement negotiations with the Arab side and promote the construction of e-commerce cooperation dialogue mechanisms. China welcomes the Arab side to actively participate in the China International Import Expo and is willing to expand imports of non-energy products from the Arab side, especially agricultural and food products.

Fifth, a broader pattern of cultural exchanges. China is willing to establish the "China-Arab Center for the Global Civilization Initiative" with the Arab side, expand the scale and influence of the China-Arab Reform and Development Research Center, and accelerate the construction of platforms such as the Think Tank Alliance, the Youth Development Forum, the University Alliance, and the Cultural and Tourism Cooperation Research Center. China will invite 200 Arab party leaders to visit China every year, and will strive to achieve 10 million mutual visits with the Arab side in the next five years.

Dear guests, dear friends!

The Middle East is a fertile land for development, but the war is still raging on this land. Since October last year, the Palestinian-Israeli conflict has escalated sharply and the people have suffered heavy hardships. Wars cannot continue indefinitely, justice cannot be permanently absent, and the "two-state solution" cannot be arbitrarily shaken. China firmly supports the establishment of an independent Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital and enjoying full sovereignty, supports Palestine to become a full member of the United Nations, and supports the convening of a larger, more authoritative and more effective international peace conference. On the basis of the previous 100 million yuan emergency humanitarian assistance, China will provide another 500 million yuan in assistance to support the alleviation of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and post-war reconstruction; it will donate 3 million US dollars to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East to support the agency's emergency humanitarian assistance to the Gaza Strip.

An Arab proverb says that friends are the sunshine in life. We will continue to work with Arab friends to promote the spirit of China-Arab friendship, unite to create a better future, and make the road to building a China-Arab community with a shared future full of sunshine!

Thank you!

Source | Xinhua News Agency

 

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