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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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The text of the remarks follows below in both the original and in a crude English translation.
（2024年5月30日，北京）
中华人民共和国主席 习近平
尊敬的哈马德国王，
尊敬的塞西总统，
尊敬的赛义德总统，
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，
各位嘉宾，各位朋友：
很高兴出席中阿合作论坛部长级会议开幕式。每次同阿拉伯朋友相聚，我都倍感亲切。中国和中国人民同阿拉伯国家和人民的友谊，缘自丝绸古道上的友好往来，缘自争取民族解放时的并肩战斗，缘自国家建设进程中的合作共赢。
新世纪以来，中阿关系不断迈上新台阶。2022年12月，我赴沙特利雅得出席首届中阿峰会，和阿拉伯同事们一致同意全力构建面向新时代的中阿命运共同体。中方对首届中阿峰会成果落实情况感到满意，愿同阿方发挥好峰会战略引领作用，持续推动中阿关系跨越式发展。在此，我高兴地向大家宣布，中方将于2026年在中国举办第二届中阿峰会，相信这将成为中阿关系又一座里程碑。
各位嘉宾、各位朋友！
当前，世界百年变局正在加速演进，中国和阿拉伯国家都肩负着实现各自民族振兴、加快国家建设的时代使命。构建中阿命运共同体彰显我们开辟中阿关系新纪元、开创美好世界新未来的共同愿望。
中方愿同阿方守望相助，把中阿关系建设成维护世界和平稳定的标杆。面对动荡不安的世界，相互尊重是和睦相处之道，公平正义是持久安全之基。我们愿同阿方一道，尊重联合国宪章宗旨和原则，尊重各国人民自主选择，尊重历史形成的客观现实，探索有利于维护公平正义、实现长治久安的热点问题解决之道。
中方愿同阿方平等互利，把中阿关系建设成高质量共建“一带一路”的样板。丝路精神薪火相传，引领中阿合作与时俱进，广泛惠及双方人民。面对相互依存的世界，我们愿同阿方持续对接发展战略，不断筑牢油气、贸易、基础设施等合作压舱石，加快培育人工智能、投融资、新能源等新增长点，共走创新、绿色、繁荣之路。
中方愿同阿方包容互鉴，把中阿关系建设成不同文明和谐共生的典范。面对更加多元的世界，对话多一分、对抗就少一分，包容多一点、隔阂就少一点。和平、真知、诚信、包容是中阿人民共同追求。我们愿同阿方共倡人文交流，弘扬全人类共同价值，书写不同文明互学互鉴的新时代典范。
中方愿同阿方紧密协作，把中阿关系建设成探索全球治理正确路径的表率。人类命运与共已成必然趋势，但治理赤字、信任赤字、和平赤字、发展赤字不断加重，需要我们秉持共商共建共享原则，不断优化全球治理。我们愿同阿方共同倡导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样板。
各位嘉宾、各位朋友！
首届中阿峰会期间，我提出推进中阿务实合作“八大共同行动”。一年多来，经过双方共同努力，中阿签署共建“一带一路”合作文件实现全覆盖，科技研发、技术转移取得新进展，经贸、能源合作迈上新台阶，标志性的旗舰项目和“小而美”的惠民工程并行推进，粮食安全、绿色创新、卫生健康等领域合作走深走实，人文交流合作平台高质量运转，“八大共同行动”取得重要早期收获。下阶段，中方愿以此为基础，同阿方构建“五大合作格局”，推动中阿命运共同体建设跑出加速度。
一是更富活力的创新驱动格局。中方将同阿方在生命健康、人工智能、绿色低碳、现代农业、空间信息等领域共建10家联合实验室；愿同阿方加强人工智能领域合作，共同促进人工智能赋能实体经济，推动形成具有广泛共识的全球人工智能治理体系；愿同阿方共建空间碎片联合观测中心、北斗应用合作发展中心，加强载人航天、民用客机等合作。
二是更具规模的投资金融格局。中方愿同阿方设立产业与投资合作论坛，继续推进中阿银联体扩容，加快实施中东工业化专项贷款、中阿金融合作专项贷款合作项目。中方支持双方金融机构加强合作，欢迎阿拉伯国家在华发行“熊猫债”，欢迎阿方银行机构加入人民币跨境支付清算系统，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。中方将同阿方进一步加强油气领域战略合作，对接供应安全和市场安全；愿同阿方联合开展新能源技术研发和装备生产。中方将支持中国能源企业和金融机构在阿拉伯国家参与总装机容量超过300万千瓦的可再生能源项目。
四是更为平衡的经贸互惠格局。中方将继续积极推动实施30亿元人民币的发展合作项目；愿同阿方加快双边和区域自由贸易协定谈判，推动电子商务合作对话机制建设。中方欢迎阿方积极参加中国国际进口博览会，愿扩大自阿方进口非能源类产品特别是农食产品。
五是更广维度的人文交流格局。中方愿同阿方设立“全球文明倡议中国－阿拉伯中心”，扩大中阿改革发展研究中心规模影响，加快智库联盟、青年发展论坛、大学联盟、文化和旅游合作研究中心等平台建设。中方将每年邀请阿方200名政党领导人访华，未来5年将同阿方力争实现1000万游客互访。
各位嘉宾、各位朋友！
中东是一片发展沃土，但这片土地上战火仍在延烧。去年10月以来，巴以冲突剧烈升级，人民遭受沉重苦难。战争不能再无限继续，正义也不能永久缺席，“两国方案”更不能任意动摇。中方坚定支持建立以1967年边界为基础、以东耶路撒冷为首都、享有完全主权的独立的巴勒斯坦国，支持巴勒斯坦成为联合国正式会员国，支持召开更大规模、更具权威、更有实效的国际和会。中方将在前期1亿元人民币紧急人道主义援助的基础上，再提供5亿元人民币援助，支持缓解加沙人道主义危机和战后重建；将向联合国近东巴勒斯坦难民救济和工程处提供300万美元捐款，支持工程处向加沙地区提供紧急人道主义援助。
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！
谢谢！
来源 | 新华社
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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