A Comment on the Recent CARC Video Conference by Wang Wenbin, Chinese FM Spokesperson
On November 30, under the auspices of China-Arab States Cooperation Forum, a video conference on reform and development between Chinese and Arab experts was successfully held by the China-Arab Research Center on Reform and Development. The conference was attended by 20 renowned scholars from academic institutions and think tanks of countries including China, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Morocco and Palestine. Diplomats from Arab states posted in China also sat in on the event. Under the theme of “building a community with a shared future for China and Arab states under the guidance of the Global Development Initiative”, the meeting saw in-depth discussions and valuable observations and propositions on the two topics of “enhancing experience-sharing on state governance to promote the Global Development Initiative” and “pursuing high-quality Belt and Road cooperation to forge a community with a shared future for China and Arab states featuring prosperity and development”.
Chinese and Arab experts shared the view that the international development cause now stands at a crossroads in the face of the once-in-a-century pandemic and changes. China and Arab countries face common tasks and challenges. The Global Development Initiative and the concept of a community with a shared future for mankind proposed by President Xi Jinping rise to the occasion as a natural choice in line with the overriding trend of the times. They provide guidance for action and a strong driving force for developing countries’ efforts to accelerate development and realize common development. China and Arab countries, with greater readiness to deepen cooperation than ever, should strengthen solidarity and cooperation, advance high-quality BRI cooperation, make good preparations for the China-Arab Summit, and take more concrete steps to build a China-Arab community with a shared future featuring shared aspirations, development, prosperity, peace and harmony.
During the meeting, Chinese experts also shared the major achievements and historical experience of the Communist Party of China over the past century, especially the philosophy of actively developing whole-process people’s democracy. Experts on the Arab side spoke highly of China’s success in finding a development path that suits its own national conditions through independent exploration, adding that it has provided inspiration to Arab countries’ state governance. They said they oppose Western countries’ interference in other countries’ internal affairs and imposition of their own political system and development model in the name of protecting human rights. Scholars on both sides believe that facing the various risks and challenges at present, countries should tear down ideological barriers, abandon the Cold War mentality and unilateralism, and strive to build a community with a shared future for mankind.
