China is committed to enhancing friendship and co-operation by expanding global partnerships based on the "Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence"* Xi Jinping President of the People's Republic of China Chinese President Xi Jinping's keynote speech at the first Sino-Arab States Summit held in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, on December 9, 2022.
Distinguished Colleagues, economic globalization. And we have upheld fair-
Friends, ness and justice in the changing international en-
Good afternoon! vironment. Together, China and Arab states have
nurtured the spirit of friendship featuring "solidarity and mutual assistance, equality and mutual At the outset, I wish to thank Saudi Arabia for benefit, and inclusiveness and mutual learning." the warm hospitality and thoughtful arrangement.
I am very pleased to join you for the first Chi- Solidarity and mutual assistance is a distinct fea-
na-Arab States Summit. The Summit is a milesto- ture of China-Arab friendship. We trust each ot-
ne in the history of China-Arab relations, and will her, and have forged a brotherly friendship. We
take us to a more promising future of friendship firmly support each other on issues involving our
and cooperation. respective core interests. We work hand in hand
China and Arab states enjoy a long history of and make progress together to realize the dream
friendly exchanges. We have come to know and of national rejuvenation. We brave wind and stor-
befriend each other through the ancient Silk ms together in fighting the COVID pandemic.
Road. We have shared weal and woe in our res- The China-Arab future-oriented strategic part-
pective struggles for national liberation. We have nership of comprehensive cooperation and com-
conducted win-win cooperation in the tide of mon development is unbreakable.
* The original text was published on December 10, 2022 by Qiushi Journal. (http://en.qstheory.cn/2022-12/10/c_838564.htm). Title and subtitles are extracted by BRIQ.
How to cite: Xi, J. (2023). China is committed to enhancing friendship and co-operation by expanding global partnerships based on the "Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence". BRIQ Belt & Road Initiative Quarterly, 4(2), 58-61.
The first China-Arab States Summit was held at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Center in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia on December 9, 2022. (Ministiry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China, 2022Ministiry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China (2022). The source article does not provide a separate full bibliographic entry for this citation.)
An Example of South-South co-operation zations, and jointly promote "peace, harmony,
integrity, and truth", the very essence of civi-
Equality and mutual benefit is a constant driver lization. We stay true to our principles despite
for our friendship. China and Arab states have the clamour for "clash of civilizations", advoca-
set an example for South-South cooperation in te together inter-civilizational dialogue, oppose
pursuing mutually beneficial collaboration. The discrimination against particular civilizations,
two sides have established 17 cooperation mec- and endeavor to safeguard the diversity of world
hanisms under the framework of the China-Arab civilizations.
States Cooperation Forum. Over the past deca- The world today is in a new period of turbu-
de, our trade has grown by 100 billion U.S. dol- lence and transformation. The Middle East is
lars, with the total volume exceeding 300 billion undergoing new and profound changes. The as-
dollars; China's direct investment in Arab states piration of the Arab people for peace and deve-
was up by 2.6 times, with the stock of investment lopment is much more compelling, and their call
reaching 23 billion dollars; over 200 Belt and for equity and justice is stronger than ever. As
Road projects have been carried out, benefiting strategic partners, China and Arab states should
nearly two billion people of the two sides. carry forward the spirit of China-Arab friends-
Inclusiveness and mutual learning are key values hip, strengthen solidarity and cooperation, and
inherent in our friendship. We appreciate each foster a closer China-Arab community with a
other's civilizations, and have written a splendid shared future, so as to deliver greater benefits
history of mutual learning. We keep drawing to our peoples and advance the cause of human
wisdom from each other's time-honored civili- progress.
We should Stay Independent and gy to the security and stability of the region. China
Defend Our Common Interests welcomes the Arab side to participate in the Global
Security Initiative (GSI), and will continue promoting
China supports Arab states in independently explo- peace and tranquility in the Middle East.
ring development paths suited to their national conditions and holding their future firmly in their own
hands. China is ready to deepen strategic mutual We need to jointly oppose
trust with Arab states, and firmly support each other Islamophobia
in safeguarding sovereignty, territorial integrity and
national dignity. Our two sides should jointly uphold We need to increase personnel exchange, deepen
the principle of non-interference in other countries' people-to-people cooperation, and promote the
internal affairs, practice true multilateralism, and de- exchange of governance experience. We need to
fend the legitimate rights and interests of developing jointly oppose Islamophobia, carry out coopera-
countries. tion on deradicalization, and reject association of
terrorism with any particular ethnic group or re-
We should Focus on Economic ligion. We need to advocate humanity's common
Development and Promote Win-Win values of peace, development, equity, justice, de-
Cooperation mocracy and freedom, and set an example of in-
ter-civilizational exchanges and mutual learning in
We should strengthen synergy between our develop- the new era.
ment strategies, and promote high-quality Belt and We are pleased to see the decision by the Sum-
Road cooperation. We should consolidate cooperati- mit to build a China-Arab community with a
on in traditional areas including economy and trade, shared future in the new era and to formulate the
energy and infrastructure development. In the me- Outline of the Comprehensive Cooperation Plan
antime, we should strengthen new sources of growth Between China and Arab States, laying out the blu-
such as green and low-carbon development, health eprint for future China-Arab relations. As the first
and medical services, and investment and finance, follow-up step of that decision, China will, in the
and expand new frontiers including aviation and ae- next three to five years, work with the Arab side to
rospace, digital economy and peaceful use of nuclear advance eight major cooperation initiatives in are-
energy. We should also tackle major challenges like as including development support, food security,
food security and energy security. China will work public health, green innovation, energy security,
with the Arab side to implement the Global Develop- inter-civilizational dialogue, youth development,
ment Initiative (GDI) and drive sustainable develop- and security and stability. China has briefed the
ment of South-South cooperation. Arab side on the details of the eight initiatives, and
will work with the Arab side to promote their early
We should Uphold Regional Peace and implementation and strive for early harvest.
Strive for Common Security China Firmly Supports the State of
China supports the Arab side in promoting political Palestine with East Jerusalem as its capital
settlement of hotspot and challenging issues with
Arab wisdom, and build a common, comprehensive, The Palestinian issue bears on peace and stability
cooperative and sustainable security architecture in in the Middle East. The historical injustices done to
the Middle East. China urges the international com- the Palestinian people should not be left unattended
munity to respect the role of the Middle East people indefinitely. The legitimate rights and interests of
as masters of their own affairs, and add positive ener- a nation are not up for trade, and the demand to
The Summit issued the Riyadh Declaration of the First China-Arab States Summit which announced that China and Arab States agreed to make all-out efforts to build a China-Arab community with a shared future in the new era. (Xinhua, 2022Xinhua (2022). The source article does not provide a separate full bibliographic entry for this citation.)
establish an independent state shall not be denied. laid out the tasks and path of advancing the
The international community should stay firm in rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts
its commitment to the two-state solution and the through Chinese modernization, and provided a
principle of "land for peace", make resolute efforts to blueprint for China's future development. China
promote peace talks, provide more humanitarian and will stay committed to upholding world peace,
development assistance to Palestine, and strive for a promoting common development, and building
just settlement of the Palestinian issue at an early date. a community with a shared future for mankind.
Recently, through the efforts of Arab states, important China remains firm in pursuing an independent
progress has been made in Intra-Palestinian foreign policy of peace and upholding international
reconciliation. China welcomes these developments. fairness and justice. China is committed to
I would like to reiterate that China firmly supports promoting friendship and cooperation with other
the establishment of an independent State of Palestine countries based on the Five Principles of Peaceful
that enjoys full sovereignty based on the 1967 border Coexistence, and will work to deepen and expand
and with East Jerusalem as its capital. China supports global partnerships. Acting on a mutually beneficial
Palestine in becoming a full member of the United strategy of opening up, China will continue to
Nations, and will continue to provide humanitarian promote high-standard opening up and advance
assistance to Palestine, support livelihood projects high-quality Belt and Road cooperation. By doing
in the country, and increase donations to the United so, we wish to create new opportunities for Arab
Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine states and all other countries with China's new
Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). development.
A great cause begins with a dream and turns into
China will Stay Committed to Upholding reality through hard work. Let us carry forward
World Peace, Promoting Common the spirit of China-Arab friendship, jointly build a
Development, and Building a Community China-Arab community with a shared future in the
with a Shared Future for Mankind new era, and usher in an even brighter future for
our relations. Recently, the Communist Party of China successfully
convened its 20th National Congress. The Congress Thank you!