Trade between Arab countries and China has surged by more than 1,000% over the past two decades, reaching approximately USD 400 billion in 2024, stated Ali bin Ibrahim Al-Maliki, assistant secretary-general of the Arab League.
Al-Maliki made the statement during the inaugural Arab-China Ministerial Meeting on Housing and Urban Development, held alongside the 41st session of the Arab Ministers of Housing Council in Algeria. As per the Kuwait News Agency, the event also aims to lay the groundwork for a strategic partnership that will benefit both the Gulf countries and the world’s second largest economy.
Beijing has continued its effort to draw global attention due to its diplomatic and trade efforts in the Middle East. In May 2024, the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum in Beijing gathered leaders from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Egypt, culminating in the Beijing Declaration, which emphasised strengthening China-Arab cooperation and building a shared future.
“China has become the second-largest trading partner for Arab countries, with trade volume increasing from $36 billion in 2004 to nearly USD 400 billion in 2024,” Al-Maliki stated, while highlighting the vital role of the housing and construction sectors in driving socioeconomic development, apart from underscoring the importance of China-Arab economic ties.
Al-Maliki further stressed that the partnership between Arab states and China in the fields of construction and urban development could offer innovative, sustainable solutions to address global challenges, such as rapid population growth, climate change, and the need for sustainable resource management.
Algerian Housing Minister Mohamed Belaribi, who currently chairs the Arab Housing Ministers Council, described the meeting as a significant step toward forging high-level partnerships built on mutual benefit.
“Arab-Chinese relations have evolved since the 1950s, serving mutual interests and strengthening their positions regionally and globally,” Belaribi said, as reported by the Arab News.
The Algerian official added that the meeting provided an opportunity to exchange expertise on key issues like housing sustainability, smart cities, earthquake-resistant construction, and urban renewal.
Chinese Minister of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, Ni Hong, during the event, emphasised the vast potential for enhanced cooperation between Arab countries and China in the construction and development sectors.
“This opens the door for strengthened exchanges and marks the beginning of a new chapter in our collaborative efforts,” he said, while also commending Arab countries for their achievements in urban development and expressing optimism for mutually beneficial outcomes.
Hong further highlighted China’s ongoing commitment to forging stronger ties with Arab nations through initiatives such as signing memorandums of understanding and conducting seminars and training programmes.
China’s Gulf outreach is a part of its broader geopolitical strategy, particularly when it comes to fulfilling the ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a major element of Beijing’s international cooperation efforts.
Launched in 2013 by Chinese President Xi Jinping, the BRI aims to enhance global connectivity and foster cooperation in areas such as infrastructure, trade, finance, and cultural exchange, drawing inspiration from the ancient Silk Road.
Over the past decade, the BRI has expanded its scope to include over 150 countries and 30 international organisations, supporting projects ranging from railways and ports to green energy and digital infrastructure. The ongoing collaboration between China and Arab countries, particularly in the housing and construction sectors, reflects the growing strength and scope of the BRI’s global ambitions.