THE ARAB-CHINESE COOPERATION FORUM: A STUDY OF THE ROLE AND EFFECTIVENESS

Abstract

Since its founding in 2004, the China–Arab States Cooperation Forum has made great achievements that have helped develop relations between China and Arab countries. It has also sought to build a strategic partnership and achieve the development goals of both sides establishing more than a dozen mechanisms covering various political, economic, social and cultural fields, under which many agreements have been signed. Also, many meetings have been held at all ministerial levels, senior officials, experts and specialists. In addition, many events and activities have been organized that have contributed to deepening cooperation between the two sides and established a common basis on which to expand its activities and projects and extend them to other aspects. These aspects are necessarily not covered by the areas of cooperation, and thereby making this forum an example in establishing forums established by China in other parts of the world. Despite the great achievements achieved by the China–Arab States Cooperation Forum, some aspects are still below the level hoped for. Therefore, the forum needs to do more to activate these aspects and deepen cooperation in other fields.