‘Arab-Chinese cooperation will help achieve prosperous future in region’

AMMAN — The convening of the ninth ministerial meeting of the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum (CASCF) is a sign of the commitment of Arab countries and China to cooperate to achieve mutual interests, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Ayman Safadi said on Monday.

“The connectedness of our countries and the importance of multilateral international action to face challenges” are shown through the holding of the forum via videoconference, Safadi said.

The ninth ministerial meeting of the forum was co-chaired by Safadi and Chinese Foreign Minister and State Councillor Wang Yi, and attended by foreign ministers of Arab League member states and the league’s secretary general.

During the forum, the minister said that international cooperation is required to counter the pandemic as well as to ensure the human rights of education, work, health services and growth.

Based on international law and respect for the principles of good-neighbourliness, avoiding interference in countries’ internal affairs, multilateral action is also needed to overcome challenges and resolve regional crises, Safadi said.

The Kingdom views China as a main partner in these efforts, he noted.

Jordan appreciates China’s stance supporting Palestinians’ rights to freedom and independence, with an international position that rejects the plan to annex occupied Palestinian lands in violation of international law, which threatens all chances for a just and comprehensive peace, Safadi added.

Jordan looks forward to working with China and all members of the international community to find “true solutions” to achieve peace, which Safadi said “cannot be accomplished” as long as the occupation remains and without establishing an independent Palestinian state on the June 4, 1967 lines as per the two-state solution.

The region suffers crises that have wrought “ruin, murder and destruction” in Syria, Yemen and Libya, and is leading a war against terrorism, with Iraq “as proof of our ability to win it”, Safadi said, noting that the crises have been fed by foreign interference in Arab countries’ affairs.

To resolve regional crises, international cooperation must adhere to the principle of avoiding interference in internal affairs and respecting international law while protecting the state, which Safadi said provides justice, safety and equality to all citizens without bias, working towards a prosperous future. The Arab-Chinese cooperation will help achieve this future, he added.

The executive cooperation programme for 2020 to 2022, the Amman Declaration and the outcomes of the CASCF agenda, in addition to other initiatives, such as the Belt and Road Initiative, are all important steps to boost cooperation in the Arab world and coordination with China, building a future of collaboration and achievements, Safadi concluded.