4th China-Arab States Expo: China, Arab states to explore deeper cooperation

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The Arab States, a group of countries in the Middle East and Northern Africa, are an integral part of China's Belt and Road Initiative. A biennial expo, which unfolds in two months holds the key to even greater ties between the states and China. VICTOR NING has the details.

Every two years, the China-Arab States Expo descends on the northwestern Chinese city of Yinchuan.

The 2019 edition, set for September 5th to the 8th, will feature conferences and exhibitions covering modern agriculture.

High tech, infrastructure and healthcare will also be topics of focus. Officials from Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, where Yinchuan is located, say the expo aims to push for better cooperation between China and the Arab States.

LIU KEWEI VICE CHAIRMAN OF NINGXIA HUI AUTONOMOUS REGION "To promote more through cooperation, we have invited more international organizations, trade associations and enterprises. So far 80 organizations, including the UN Food Program, the Secretariat of Arab Union, and the Fransabank of Lebanon are committed to take part."

Trade volume between China and Arab States skyrocketed to 244 billion U.S. dollars in 2018, a 28% hike from the year before. Direct investment from China last year came in at 1.2 billion U.S. Dollars. Energy is the driving force behind the China-Arab States ties. But Chinese officials say the two sides will explore partnerships in more fields.

QIAN KEMING CHINESE VICE MINISTER OF COMMERCE "We are willing to expand cooperation with the Arab States to more sectors. We will encourage enterprises to engage in work with AI, big data, cloud computing, biomedicine and so on. We are also pushing for a free trade deal with the Gulf Cooperation Council and the State of Palestine."

The Arab States occupy a strategic location on China's ambitious Belt and Road Initiative. 18 Arab States have joined the program so far. Experts say sound trade and economic ties between the two sides is essential for the initiative's success. VN, CGTN.