Oman participates in preparations for Arab-China Cooperation Forum

The Sultanate of Oman took part in the preparatory meeting for the 20th session of the Arab–China Cooperation Forum and the strategic political dialogue at the senior officials level, held in the Moroccan capital, Rabat.

Oman’s delegation was headed by Abdullah bin Nasser bin Musalam Al Rahbi, Ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman to Egypt and Oman's Representative to League of Arab States.

The meeting covered a number of priority issues contributing to the Forum’s goals.

The Forum was launched two decades ago and serves as a key platform for promoting South–South cooperation. It also aims to strengthen mechanisms for coordination, consultation and mutual support between Arab countries and China on various regional and international issues of shared concern, in a way that fosters security, peace and stability in the region and the world.

Speaking at the meeting, Ambassador Al Rahbi said that the Forum has proven effective over the past two decades in consolidating the Arab–China partnership and strengthening institutional cooperation between the Arab countries and China  in a world facing increasing challenges.

He noted that Arab–China relations are currently witnessing their strongest phase, thanks to the alignment of visions between two ancient cultures and diverse economies, making this partnership a model for multilateral cooperation.

He also highlighted China’s positive position on regional issues, particularly the Palestinian cause, praising the Chinese call for a broad-based international conference to revive the peace process based on the two-state solution. He reaffirmed the Sultanate of Oman’s support for ending the humanitarian tragedy faced by the Palestinian people due to the continuous assaults by the Israeli occupation forces.

Ambassador Al Rahbi also affirmed that the reference documents adopted by the Forum—such as the “Riyadh Declaration” and the “Document on Deepening the Strategic Partnership”—have laid the foundation for advanced cooperation based on the principles of mutual respect and shared development.

In his remarks, Ambassador Al Rahbi highlighted the deep-rooted historical ties between the Sultanate of Oman and the People's Republic of China. These relations, which span more than 1,200 years, are amongst the oldest between an Arab and an Asian country. They have been built on mutual trust and trade, particularly through the Maritime Silk Road, he added, contributing to the establishment of a solid partnership that has evolved over the centuries to encompass many fields. Today, he said, this partnership stands as a model of continuity and understanding between civilisations.

In a joint statement both Arab and Chinese participants emphasised the importance of continuing to strengthen the comprehensive strategic partnership, intensifying coordination in international forums, and cooperating in areas such as sustainable development, food security, energy, digital transformation, education, and scientific research.

The statement also stressed the need for a just and comprehensive solution to the Palestinian issue in accordance with international legitimacy and the Arab Peace Initiative, rejecting unilateral measures that undermine prospects for peace and stability in the region.

This is an unofficial English version of an Arabic report. To view the official Arabic text, click here.