00:00Well, Dr. Huiyao Wong is the founder and president of the Center for China and Globalization, and he joins me now.
00:07Thank you very much, Dr. Wong, for joining me.
00:09Now, Egypt was the first Arab nation to establish these diplomatic ties with Beijing, wasn't it?
00:15What do you think is the significance of Li Cheng's visit to Egypt today, and what do you think it says about the timing of that visit?
00:23Well, I think this timing is very significant, as you mentioned at the beginning of the program, against this backdrop of geopolitical tensions, trade tariff wars, and, of course, an also increasingly tense conflict in the Middle East.
00:43And so Chinese premier, first visit since he took office to Middle East, particularly to Egypt, with Arab League there, it shows that China ties great importance, pays great attention to this part of the world.
00:59And also, I think that Egypt also is one of the biggest countries in this region.
01:04And so the Chinese visit, top leaders' visit to this place really shows that, you know, we want to collaborate, strengthen the cooperation, and also probably shows that China can play a major role in securing the peace and stability for the Middle East.
01:23And given this kind of conflict, and also what happened in Gaza, and recently in the mainland regions as a whole, I think this visit shows that China really wants to put this part of the world also on top of China's foreign affairs agenda.
01:42Because right after the BRICS summit, China's premier is visiting this place and shows that how much intention has been given to this place.
01:50It's interesting that you talk about the peacekeeping role that China may play in the Middle East.
01:55But also, of course, there's the influence when it comes to tariffs and when it comes to trade.
02:01You have to look at the Belt and Road Initiative to see the inroads that China is making in the Middle East.
02:06What do you think drives China's commitment to the Middle East?
02:11Well, there's many things, of course.
02:14You're right.
02:14You know, there's many aspects.
02:16But on the other hand, you can see China is the largest trading partner with almost all Arab nations.
02:24And for example, in Egypt, China has this Ted Seuss Canal Industrial Park, which is one of the very successful cases there.
02:31You know, hundreds of millions or billions of dollars being invested.
02:35China is also built the highest high rise in Egypt.
02:40That is really a very big, significant project there as well.
02:46Also, that China and Arab countries are partners on the Belt and Road project, which has been making a lot of progress in the infrastructure area.
02:57But furthermore, I think that China also views this part of the world as very important.
03:01Historically, we have always great relations with a long history, a cultural heritage.
03:06But more importantly, China has been a firm supporter of the Palestinian cause.
03:12And of course, also the Arab countries, you know, rightful also the position in the Middle East.
03:22So particularly given what's happening in Gaza, you know, in the conflict in the last three years, I think that Israel has alienated the Arab world.
03:33And China is really also wants to really see how China can play a major role.
03:38China has mediated between Saudis and Iranians.
03:42And that has been very successful.
03:43So also China got all the fractions of the Palestinian Beijing and has also made a very good declaration on that.
03:50So it's time that China probably can be more actively involved in the Middle East region and then to see how peacemaking and mediating role China can play there.
04:00And I think this is something that Arab nations are looking forward to China to be more active at.
04:06And also China is also ready for that.
04:08As Foreign Minister Wang actually said at the last BRIC Foreign Minister meetings, BRIC countries are the best countries to do the mediating.
04:17They have no historical baggages.
04:19They have many success stories.
04:21And also they are not badly needed.
04:23So it's time that China and Arab countries strengthen their cooperation.
04:26And also work out a new narrative, a new plan, probably for the future peacemaking and also development of China-Arab relations in general.
04:39And also given that the second China-Arab summit is going to happen in Beijing next year.
04:44So I think Premier Li-Chang's visit this time will pave a great foundation for future China-Arab cooperation.
04:51It will indeed.
04:52Dr. Huiya Wang, thank you very much indeed for that.
