On the morning of April 15, the opening ceremony of the 24th Arab Officials Seminar, organized by the China-Arab Research Center on Reform and Development (hereinafter referred to as “the Center”), was held at the Songjiang Campus of Shanghai International Studies University (SISU). A total of 18 officials from 15 Arab countries and the Secretariat of the League of Arab States participated in this multilateral training program. Ambassador Wang Kejian from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, and Ms. Yin Dongmei, Chair of the Center and Party Secretary of SISU, attended the opening ceremony.
The ceremony was hosted by Mr. Wang Guangda, Secretary-General of the Center. Representatives from the Department of West Asian and North African Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Foreign Affairs Office of the Shanghai Municipal People’s Government, the Shanghai People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, the School of Asian and African Studies of SISU, the Middle East Studies Institute, and the Office of International Cooperation and Exchange also attended the event.
In her speech, Ms. Yin Dongmei warmly welcomed the Arab officials to China on behalf of SISU and the Center. She noted that 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations and the 70th anniversary of the Bandung Conference—an occasion of profound significance. Despite the rising trends of unilateralism, protectionism, and intensifying geopolitical rivalry, the Global South continues to gain momentum. China and Arab countries, both key members of the Global South, jointly advocate for a multipolar world and support each other on the international stage, standing as firm partners on the path of development. Next year will also mark the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Arab states. China will host the second China-Arab States Summit, and this training program will help foster a positive atmosphere for the summit and advance practical cooperation between the two sides to a new level.
Afterward, H.E. Mohamed Hassanein, Ambassador of Syria to China and a representative of the trainees, delivered a speech. He thanked China for hosting the training program and noted that the topics arranged are closely aligned with the development needs of Arab countries. He expressed hope that China would further increase investment in Arab countries and support their development in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence. He believed the program would deepen dialogue and cooperation between China and the Arab world and help jointly address global challenges.
Following the opening ceremony, Ambassador Wang Kejian delivered a keynote lecture to the trainees, titled Seizing the Opportunity of the Second China-Arab States Summit to Open a New Chapter in China-Arab Relations. He provided a detailed overview of China’s diplomatic philosophy, its Middle East policy, and the current status and prospects of China-Arab relations. Ambassador Wang emphasized that China’s foreign policy is centered around the vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind, striving to uphold world peace and promote common development. China actively supports a multipolar world that is equal and orderly, and economic globalization that is inclusive and beneficial to all. He highlighted the enduring friendship between China and Arab countries, their mutual support in anti-colonial and anti-hegemonic efforts, and the wide-ranging common interests they share. In the new era, China and Arab states are deepening cooperation in various fields, including economy, security, and culture, and hold great potential for collaboration in finance, investment, and high-tech industries. He called for continued exchanges on governance and enhanced people-to-people connectivity to contribute to building a shared future for mankind. During the Q&A session, Ambassador Wang actively engaged with trainees on topics such as China-Arab cooperation in the new era, Middle East issues, and China's positions.
In the afternoon of April 15, the participating officials visited the China International Import Expo (CIIE) Cultural Exhibition Center, where they experienced firsthand the achievements of China’s major-country diplomacy and high-level opening-up. The visit was accompanied throughout by Mr. Li Guoqing, Deputy Director-General of the China International Import Expo Bureau, and Ambassador Wang Kejian.
This training program is themed Implementing the Five Major Cooperation Frameworks between China and Arab States and Jointly Advancing Modernization. Discussions will focus on topics such as “Seizing the Opportunity of the Second China-Arab Summit to Open a New Chapter in China-Arab Relations,” “Promoting Inclusive and Beneficial Economic Globalization,” “Understanding Chinese-style Modernization through Reform and Development,” and “Global Governance in a Multipolar Era: The Shared Mission of China and the Global South.” In addition to academic exchanges, participants will also undertake field visits in Shanghai and Hangzhou to gain firsthand insights into China’s high-quality development and contribute to advancing modernization efforts through China-Arab cooperation.