Arab League delegation visits China-Arab Research Center on Reform and Development for 10th anniversary

In celebration of the 10th anniversary of the China-Arab Research Center on Reform and Development, a delegation composed of permanent representatives from Arab countries to the League of Arab States and officials of the league's general secretariat visited the Shanghai-based center on Thursday.

The center was founded in 2017 and undertaken by the Shanghai International Studies University.

During the meeting, Yin Dongmei, Party secretary of SISU and chairperson of the center, highlighted the university's strong foundation in Arabic teaching and research, and its commitment to contributing to China-Arab cooperation.

Over the years, SISU has maintained close exchanges with the Arab League, enhancing cooperation mechanisms and achieving positive results in training, talent cultivation, think tank research, and cultural exchanges, Yin said. She expressed hope that this visit would serve as a catalyst for deeper practical cooperation and contribute to the stable and long-term development of China-Arab relations.

Kahtan Taha Khalaf, ambassador of the Iraq to Egypt and permanent representative to the League of Arab States, who chaired the delegation, emphasized the center's crucial role as a platform for promoting China-Arab exchanges and cooperation, providing essential support for deepening mutual understanding.

He noted that Arab countries highly value their relations with China, as evidenced by the upcoming second China-Arab Summit in China, reflecting the solid foundation and positive momentum of China-Arab relations. Khalaf expressed the Arab side's willingness to support the center's development and anticipated its greater role in advancing China-Arab cooperation.

Yi Yonggang, vice-president of SISU and director of the center, said that the center's key initiatives for 2026 include that the center's building is set to be completed, which will provide a vital space for exchanging governance experiences between China and Arab countries. The building will also house a themed exhibition hall, showcasing the history and achievements of China-Arab interactions, serving as an important window for cultural exchange and public diplomacy.

Additionally, SISU is accelerating the development of specialized programs for cultivating Arab studies talent and constructing a large model for Arab research, integrating talent, academic, and technological resources to create a high-level think tank and digital platform, which aims to support the high-quality development of China-Arab relations, Yi said.

The Arab representatives emphasized the importance of developing relations with China and expressed their desire to deepen practical cooperation with China in academic research, policy exchange, and capacity building.