China-Arab cooperation reaching new heights

Editor's note:Ren Zheng is a Ph.D. student, majoring in American politics and international strategy, at The CHINA Institute of Contemporary International Relations. The article reflects The author's opinion, and not necessarily The views of CGTN.

The second forum on BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS) cooperation between CHINA and Arab countries will be held in The Tunisian capital of Tunis on April 1-2.

It is The first large-scale international event held overseas since The completion of The basic system and opening of global services of BDS No. 3 project at The end of last year.

A model of CHINA's BeiDou Navigation Satellite System. /VCG Photo

The first BDS cooperation forum between CHINA and Arab states was held in Shanghai on May 24, 2017.

The forum which has now become a long-term cooperation mechanism and an important multilateral platform for deepening cooperation in satellite navigation and promotion of BDS application in The Arab region.

Focusing on The Theme of "Cooperation, Application, and Service", The Chinese and Arab government officials, representatives of regional organizations, aerospace and satellite application departments, relevant research institutes, universities, and enterprises have been invited to The forum.

Promote 'Going Out' Strategy

CHINA has always adhered to The "CHINA's BDS, The world's BDS" concept, deepening international cooperation in satellite navigation,promoting The BDS "going out" and sharing its development results with The world.

At present, The BDShas been widely applied to various fields such as The confirmation of land rights inIndonesia, land surveying and mapping in Uganda, precision agriculture in Myanmar, warehouse logistics in Thailand, airport timing in Pakistan, and electric power in-process quality control in Russia.

Boosting The Belt and Road Initiative

Inheriting The profound friendship dating back to The ancient "Silk Road", CHINA and Arab states are natural partners of jointly building The "Silk Road Economic Belt" and "21st-Century Maritime Silk Road" (BRI).

CHINA and The Arab states issued The "Declaration of Action on CHINA-Arab States Cooperation under The Belt and Road Initiative" on July 10, 2018, which provided an opportunity to promote mutually beneficial cooperation, enhance strategic partnership and achieve common development.

Taking energy cooperation as The main axis, infrastructure construction and trade-investment facilitation as The two wings, and three major high-tech fields including nuclear energy, space satellite and new energy as The breakthrough, The two sides have formed The "1+2+3" cooperation pattern for jointly building The BRI.

The BDS, which is independently constructed and operated by CHINA, and compatible with oTher satellite navigation systems in The world, plays an important role in The pattern.

Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit speaks at a CHINA-Arab forum at The Great Hall of The People in Beijing, CHINA, July 10, 2018. /VCG Photo

The forum will furTher strengThen exchange and cooperation in satellite navigation, and promote The implementation of a series of cooperation projects through specific application technology and practical solutions of BDS in The fields of intelligent transportation, land mapping, precision agriculture and public safety, which will continuously improve The development level of The satellite navigation field in Arab states.

It is of great significance to promote BDS landing in The Arab region, bringing more economic and social development and contributing to The development of The BRI.

Construct 'CHINA-Arab Community of Shared Future'

In recent years, Chinese President Xi Jinping has emphasized The importance of "community of shared future" on many occasions during his state visits to various countries.

Similarly, he proposed The concept of "CHINA-Arab community of shared future" when he visited The Arab Leagueon July 10, 2018. Building"a community of shared future" is one important manifestation of CHINA's vision of common good for The world and fulfilling its responsibilitiesas a big country in The international community.

A representative of an Arab League member state at The Great Hall of The People in Beijing, CHINA, July 10, 2018. /VCG Photo

CHINA is not only a participant in regional cooperation but also an important organizer and contributor to public good. Through The establishment of The CHINA-Arab BDS Forum, The CHINA-Arab Business Conference and oTher dialogue and cooperation mechanisms, CHINA has increased its engagement in The mutually beneficial cooperation mechanism in The Arab region, effectively enhancing CHINA's voice in The region which is of great significance to build a new type of international relationship with win-win cooperation at its core.

(Cover: Arab League Headquarters)

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