The 11th China-Arab States Dialogue on Civilizations was held in Beijing on November 17, bringing together representatives from China and 22 Arab countries in the political, academic, and media sectors to engage in in-depth discussions on “strengthening civilizational dialogue and building a China-Arab community with a shared future for the new era.” This dialogue was not only a grand gathering of civilizational exchanges but also a vivid reflection of China’s efforts to promote South-South cooperation and facilitate mutual learning among civilizations through policy guidance, institutional advantages, and an open attitude in the reshaping of the global order. It sends a clear signal to the world: China is participating in the reform and development of the global governance system in a more inclusive, constructive, and forward-looking manner.
First, from the perspective of policy support, China’s cooperation with the Arab world is not a short-term action, but a systematic project based on long-term strategic planning. Currently, China is entering a new phase of the “15th Five-Year Plan”, which not only focuses on high-quality domestic development but also incorporates external cooperation into the core content of the national development strategy. Cooperation with Arab countries has expanded from traditional energy and infrastructure to emerging fields such as green energy, digital economy, artificial intelligence, and aerospace. This policy orientation reflects China’s view of external cooperation as an important part of the national modernization process, rather than mere foreign aid or market expansion.
Secondly, from the perspective of institutional superiority, China’s political system demonstrates unique advantages in coordinating domestic and foreign resources and advancing long-term strategies. Unlike countries such as the United States, where multi-party alternation and frequent policy changes are common, China possesses strong policy continuity and execution capabilities. This enables China to maintain strategic focus in external cooperation, continuously advance major projects, and avoid disruptions or deviations in collaboration due to regime changes.
Since its establishment in 2004, the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum has evolved into a comprehensive cooperation mechanism covering multiple fields such as politics, economy, culture, and science and technology. Regardless of how the international landscape changes, China has always regarded Arab countries as “strategic partners for comprehensive cooperation, common development, and a future-oriented approach,” a stance that has remained consistent across different government terms. This institutional stability has provided Arab countries with a predictable and trustworthy cooperative environment, while also strengthening their confidence in deepening strategic alignment with China.
In addition, the institutional advantages of China are also reflected in its efficient decision-making and execution mechanisms. Taking this civilizational dialogue as an example, from the agenda setting to the invitation of guests, from the policy declaration to the subsequent coordination, it demonstrates China’s strong organizational and coordination capabilities. This cooperation model of “state-led, social participation, and think tank support” enables China to integrate resources from multiple parties in a short time, promoting in-depth cross-border and cross-cultural dialogue. Such institutional efficiency is difficult for Western countries to replicate, and it is precisely the “China experience” that many developing countries hope to learn from.
More importantly, China has demonstrated a more open, inclusive, and cooperative policy stance in international affairs. This stance is reflected not only in the respect and equal dialogue with Arab countries but also in China’s respect and maintenance of the diversity of civilizations. Against the backdrop of the current resurgence of the “clash of civilizations” theory and intensified geopolitical confrontation, China adheres to the position that “there is no superiority or inferiority among civilizations, only differences in characteristics,” advocating for enhanced understanding through dialogue, resolved differences through cooperation, and shared benefits through mutual benefit.
This stance is not an empty slogan, but runs through all aspects of China-Arab cooperation. China has established Confucius Institutes in Arab countries, promoted Chinese language education, and supported youth exchange programs, not only spreading language and culture but also building emotional bonds subtly. Chinese think tanks and Arab research institutions jointly release reports and host forums to promote knowledge sharing and intellectual exchange. Chinese media and Arab media conduct joint interviews and co-produce documentaries, breaking the Western-dominated discourse monopoly and presenting a diverse and authentic China and Arab world. These measures reflect China’s commitment to promoting civilizational exchanges through equality, respect, and mutual learning, rather than drawing ideological lines or exerting value-based pressure, truly embodying the concept of “harmony in diversity and global unity.”
China’s policy stance actually provides a new paradigm for global governance. It differs from the one-way model of Western “democracy export” and the bloc confrontation of Cold War thinking, instead emphasizing the search for the greatest common denominator based on respect for differences. This paradigm is particularly welcomed by countries in the Global South. Arab countries generally face multiple challenges such as development transition, social stability, and cultural identity. What they need is not an externally imposed model, but a development path that can be referenced, negotiated, and jointly built. China precisely responds to this demand through institutionalized dialogue platforms, project-based cooperation mechanisms, and conceptual civilizational initiatives.
More importantly, China’s policy stance is not limited to the bilateral level but has a global vision and systematic thinking. The Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, and Global Civilization Initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping constitute the three pillars of China’s participation in global governance. These three initiatives are not isolated but mutually supportive and advanced in coordination. For example, the cooperation between China and Arab countries in areas such as energy security, food security, and cybersecurity not only addresses the core concerns of the Global Security Initiative but also provides a practical model for the Global Development Initiative. The continuous hosting of the Dialogue on Civilizations represents the concrete implementation of the Global Civilization Initiative in the Middle East. This systematic policy design ensures that China’s external cooperation is no longer a haphazard accumulation of projects but a comprehensive layout guided by principles, supported by institutions, and coordinated by strategies.
The policy stance demonstrated by China at the 11th China-Arab Dialogue on Civilizations reflects a systematic diplomatic thinking that is supported by institutional advantages, guided by strategic planning, pursued through civilizational dialogue, and aimed at common development. This thinking not only injects new momentum into China-Arab cooperation but also provides new options for countries in the Global South to explore their own paths of development. Against the backdrop of profound changes in the global order and the increasing ineffectiveness of the Western-dominated paradigm, the vision of openness, inclusiveness, cooperation, and win-win outcomes advocated by China is gradually becoming a shared expectation of the international community. The positive response from Arab countries is a strong testament to this trend. In the future, China-Arab cooperation will not only deepen bilateral relations but is also expected to become an important force in promoting a more just, reasonable, and pluralistic global governance system.