Yinchuan, Ningxia, to host China-Arab States Economic and Trade Forum
Despite the turmoil, nation's trade with region hits US$111.8b in first half, and analysts say Beijing is exploring further potential for economic co-operation
Trade between China and the Arab world grew 22 per cent in the first half of the year, despite political turmoil in the energy-rich region.
Analysts say Beijing is exploring potential for economic co-operation in the region as some Arab countries undergo reconstruction following civil strife and changes in leadership.
Beijing is preparing for the third Sino-Arab economic and trade forum, slated to begin next month in the northwestern Ningxia region, home to more than 10 per cent of China's 20 million Muslims.
Trade between China and Arab countries hit US$111.8 billion for the first half of the year, according to Chinese customs yesterday. The 22 per cent increase in growth outpaced the country's 8 per cent growth in overall trade in the same period.
Sino-Arab trade reached US$195.9 billion last year, a 34.7 per cent growth over the previous year.
"There's great potential for trade and investment between China and Arab countries, as both sides share an interest in further expanding co-operation in various business areas," said Professor Xiao Xian , a leading Middle East expert and vice-president of the Chinese Association for Middle East Studies.
Yin Gang , a Middle East expert with the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said the political and economic changes in several countries in the region offered new opportunities for Chinese investors.