A great boost to China-Arab partnership in hard times
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Xinhua, January 14, 2012
After his ongoing Nepal trip, Premier Wen Jiabao will pay an official visit to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Qatar, a tour expected to set in motion an important diplomatic push in the Gulf region.
The visit, the first overseas trip by a top Chinese leader this year, comes at a time when the world is going through the most profound and complicated changes since the Cold War.
While the international community is still trying to digest the political turbulence in West Asia and North Africa, the world economy remains fragile in the aftermath of the devastating global financial crisis and the sovereign debt mess in Europe.
Against the grim political and economic backdrop of the international landscape, Wen's trip to the three Arab countries is of particularly great significance, as both China and the Arab world have the common task of warding off the negative impact of the global economic malaise and striving for development, stability and peace.
In the face of these strong challenges, it is desirable that China and Arab countries build upon their traditional ties, take full advantage of their respective strengths and jointly strive towards common development.
Political will for closer ties between China and the Arab world is evidently strong. The Chinese Foreign Ministry has announced that during Wen's visit, the China-Saudi and China-UAE relationships will be formally upgraded and further expansion of China-Qatar cooperation will be discussed.
Past interaction has also laid a solid foundation for further advancement. China has always regarded Arab countries as good friends, good partners and good brothers. Over the recent decades, China and Arab countries have seen their relations and cooperation grow steadily and have also maintained sound communication and collaboration on major regional and global affairs.
Therefore, just as Vice Foreign Minister Zhai Jun said Wednesday, Wen's trip offers a valuable opportunity not only to deepen relations between China and the three Arab countries, but to promote cooperation between China and the Gulf Cooperation Council and facilitate the development of the overall ties between China and the Islamic world.
During his Middle East tour, Wen is also scheduled to address the opening ceremony of the Fifth World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi and reaffirm Beijing's commitment to exploring renewable energy and fostering global sustainable development.
Given China's enormous population and development needs, it is natural that China is a big energy consumer. But it would be ignorant to disregard the fact that China is also a staunch advocate for and leading investor in new, clean and renewable energy.
China has long been trying to overhaul its energy structure, and the progress it has achieved so far is exemplary and encouraging. And as always, China is ready to work together with other responsible members of the international community to seek ways to promote the world's development in a sustainable manner to create a brighter future for generations to come.
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