China-Arab States Cooperation Forum: 20-year Dialogue

The article considers the background and activities of the China-Arab Sates Cooperation Forum for two decades. The authors identify key factors and features of the Sino-Arab relations, main priorities of their cooperation, highlight the stages of the Forum activities. They present description of the main models of partnership between the PRC and the Middle East countries. A special attention is paid to the results, problems and prospects of the Forum. The methodological basis of the study is an interdisciplinary approach. The authors adhere to the paradigm of neorealism, particularly the theory of the balance of power and regional security complexes, the principle that posits that the logic of the international system and balance of force among states determine their foreign policy. The «power transit» theory allows to better understand the role of China that has been transforming into a superpower in world politics. The China-Arab States Cooperation Forum activities, despite the existing problems and risks, bring positive results to the participants. It makes a significant contribution to implementation of ambitious plans for «national revival», economic and political prosperity of both the PRC and the Arab countries. The authors come to the conclusion that in the current political realities the parties understand expediency of further cooperation aimed at strengthening bilateral ties. Since Beijing’s relations with Arab partners go beyond purely economic interests and affect the strategic interests of China, which is actively promoting a large-scale Belt and Road initiative. Their close multisectoral cooperation, updated by pragmatic factors, will largely determine the economic prospects and geopolitical significance of both parties in the formation of a multipolar world.

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