In the face of COVID-19 pandemic, China and Arab countries have joined hands to overcome difficulties. China has assisted and exported nearly 100 million doses of Chinese vaccines to Arab countries, and has carried out cooperation with many countries in localized vaccine production and drug research and development. With practical actions, the two sides practiced the same proverb in both Chinese and Arabic: A friend in need is a friend indeed.

Third is compatibility. The common pursuit and close cooperation between China and Arab countries on security and development issues are also reflected in the continuously strengthened strategic cooperation between the two sides on international and regional affairs. In 2017, President Xi proposed the “BRICS plus” cooperation model, which received active support and warm responses from all parties. In May, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi chaired the Video Dialogue of Foreign Ministers between BRICS and Emerging Markets and Developing Countries. Many Arab countries participated in the meeting and some have expressed their positive willingness to join the BRICS.

In September, President Xi attended the SCO summit in the ancient city of Samarkand in Central Asia, summarized the five points of the Shanghai Spirit, proposed to uphold a common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security concept, and promoted construction of a balanced, effective and sustainable security architecture. Attracted by the Shanghai Spirit, many Arab countries hope to join the SCO and seek a more equal, more pragmatic and broader cooperation platform. At present, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Qatar have become new dialogue partners of the SCO, and Bahrain, UAE and Kuwait are slated to become dialogue partners.