Political parties of China and Arab states seek intensified communication

NANJING, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- The Fifth China-Arab States Political Parties Dialogue opened Friday in Suzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province, gathering over 100 leaders of political parties and organizations as well as business, think tank and media representatives from 22 Arab countries.

Liu Haixing, head of the International Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said at the event that this year marks the 70th anniversary of the beginning of the diplomatic relations between China and Arab countries, as well as the 10th anniversary of the launch of the China-Arab States Political Parties Dialogue mechanism.

The CPC stands ready to further deepen strategic communication with political parties of Arab countries, continue to firmly support each other on issues involving their respective core interests and major concerns, and contribute political parties' strength to fostering a more just and equitable international order, Liu said.

According to the department, the dialogue in Suzhou has achieved two major milestones: full representation of all 22 Arab countries, and the inaugural China-Arab Business Dialogue on the Belt and Road Initiative as a side event.

Speaking at the dialogue, Assem El-Gazzar, first deputy speaker of the House of Representatives of Egypt and chairman of the National Front Party, said the importance of the gathering stems from its role as a platform bringing together diverse political and intellectual experiences, enabling exchanges of views on development and public policy, and broadening mutual understanding among peoples.

Munther Bouden, deputy speaker of the Algerian People's National Assembly and secretary-general of the National Rally for Democracy, said Algerians are keen to learn how grand objectives of the CPC are translated into concrete programs.

"We commend your party for leading China's development journey and transforming long-term planning into tangible achievements across industry, science and technology," said Bouden.

Sidney Sokhona, first vice-president of the National Assembly of Mauritania, said that against an international backdrop marked by geopolitical tensions and uncertainties, dialogue between Chinese and Arab political parties takes on special significance.

"Political dialogue serves as an essential driver for trust, mutual understanding and cooperation among peoples," he said. "It offers a valuable platform for experience-sharing, convergence of visions, and joint responses to challenges concerning stability, development, social cohesion and youth engagement."

Over the past decade, the International Department of the CPC Central Committee has invited more than 2,000 political party leaders as well as think tank and media representatives from Arab countries to visit China.