English

By Fei Xie

The China-Arab States Cooperation Forum (CASCF) began its eighth ministerial meeting in Beijing on Tuesday to discuss ways to strengthen the Arab-Chinese relations.

During the meeting, China pledged to provide billions of dollars in loans to Arabic countries for their future economic development, as stated by one of the top Chinese officials, as Beijing is looking to build its influence in the Middle East and Africa.

The money will be dedicated to "projects that will produce good employment opportunities and a positive social impact in the Arab States that have reconstruction needs," as stated by the same Chinese officials.  "It is part of a special Chinese program for "economic reconstruction" and "industrial revitalization," he added.

The official also explained the allocation of the money, "the fund will take shape in the forms of credit, loans and humanitarian assistance. Jordan and Lebanon would receive $91 million in humanitarian assistance. Another $151 million was earmarked for aid projects."

Besides, Beijing has another plan to provide billions of RMB to other countries in the region to "build capacities for maintaining stability," the official said.

So far, China has already given vast sums of money to Arab countries, according to estimates from the US-based China-Africa Research Initiative.

The Chinese government official also expressed the government's vision to enhance comprehensive cooperation under the new strategic partnership with Arabic countries.

Sheikh Sabah AIAhmad AI-Jaber AI-Sabah, the Emir of Kuwait, stated that "we believe that boosting mechanisms of cooperation between us will contribute to achieving the supreme interests of Arab nations and our friends, and to enhancing historical relations between the two sides, which we are keen to develop and promote in all fields."