Both sides have made crucial efforts to take care of their ethnic minorities, said the declaration, adding that China welcomes representatives of Arab League and its member states to visit Chinese provinces, including Xinjiang.
The two sides denounce terrorist activities in all forms, actively combat extremist ideology, acts of terrorism and incitement to terrorism, eradicate the root causes of terrorism, and cut off its sources of funding.
Both sides oppose linking terrorism to any ethnic group, religion, country or civilization and call on all countries to refrain from providing any form of public or private support to entities or individuals involved in terrorist activities, the declaration said.
On fighting COVID-19 with solidarity, the ministerial meeting of the forum agreed to carry out cooperation against the pandemic within the health-cooperation mechanism under the framework of the forum.
While the world is engaged in an ongoing discussion about the ramifications of the trade war between Washington and Beijing, the economies of the Middle East are shifting away from their longstanding ties with the U.S. toward economically powerful China, a move that may have long-term implications for the economic and political dynamics of the region, according to Yasser Elnaggar of the Washington-based Middle East Institute.
There is no doubt that the relationship between the countries of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and China has taken a significant turn in the 21st century. China's rapid economic growth necessitated an aggressive approach in pursuit of much-needed natural resources. The MENA region was largely excluded from China's pivot toward Asia and Africa, and it was not until the Arab Spring in 2011 that China adopted a more engaged policy toward the key countries in the region, Elnaggar said, adding:
"As a result of this increased engagement, China has become the largest investor in the region, and the most sought after. In 2018, China committed $20 billion in loans for reconstruction in the Arab world, as well as $3 billion in loans for the banking sector.
"There has also been a boom in trade between the two sides, which has multiplied to reach almost $245 billion. In addition, the MENA region is witnessing a growing presence from Chinese private-sector companies, especially technology firms. For example, five of the top 10 e-commerce companies in the region are from China. They are drawn by the growing size of the MENA e-commerce market, which is expected to reach $49 billion by 2021."
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