TRENDS Research and Advisory participated in the “Arab-China Cooperation Forum: Twenty Years of Fruitful Cooperation”, organized by the Department of Research and Strategic Studies, General Secretariat of the League of Arab States, at the League’s headquarters in Cairo, Egypt.
During a workshop at the forum titled “Towards a Strategic Vision for Developing Arab-China Cultural Relations”, TRENDS presented an important paper that emphasized the significance of cultural cooperation between the Arab and Chinese sides as one of the key pillars for enhancing overall Arab-Chinese relations.
Representing TRENDS at the workshop were a research delegation including Ayesha Al-Remeithi, Director of the Research Department, Noura Al-Hebsi, Director of the Publications Department, and Ramadan Qarni, Director of TRENDS Cairo office. The paper focused on the deep historical ties between the Arab and Chinese civilizations, the achievements made in cultural cooperation over the past decades, the challenges faced, and the future prospects for its development.
The paper highlighted the profound historical and cultural relations between the Arab and Chinese civilizations, noting that the ancient Silk Road served as a bridge for cultural exchange between them.
Ayesha Al-Remeithi and Ramadan Qarni discussed mechanisms for cultural cooperation between Arabs and China within the framework of the Arab-China Cooperation Forum. These mechanisms cover areas such as scientific research, education, language learning, cultural festivals and events, preservation of cultural heritage, sister city partnerships, shared publishing, participation in book fairs, tourism cooperation, joint film and television productions, and translation initiatives.
They also addressed the challenges facing cultural cooperation between Arabs and China, such as mutual stereotypes, limited cultural production exchange, weak translation and academic publishing activities, limited joint scientific research outputs, the negative impacts of Western media, the elitist nature of artistic performances, Western political influences, and the lack of Arab cultural coordination.
The paper presented a strategic vision for developing cultural relations between Arab states and China, focusing on strengthening commonalities and positive collective memory, developing partnerships in education, translation, and publishing, leveraging literary and sports events, and enhancing media communication and social media platforms.
It recommended increasing the exchange of educational and student missions between the two sides, enhancing cooperation between Arab and Chinese universities in joint research, establishing more Arab cultural centers in China and vice versa, organizing diverse cultural activities such as art exhibitions, musical and theatrical performances, film screenings, translating literary and artistic works from Arabic to Chinese and vice versa, and supporting cooperation in content creation, such as joint film and series production, video games, music, and encouraging investment in joint cultural projects.
TRENDS’ paper received significant attention from participants, who praised its rich content and valuable analyses.
Ayesha Al-Remeithi, Director of the Research Department at TRENDS, stated that “TRENDS’ participation in this important event reflects our commitment to enhancing Arab Chinese relations in various fields, including cultural cooperation. We firmly believe that fostering cultural cooperation between the two sides is fundamental to promoting mutual understanding, strengthening bonds of friendship, and deepening cooperation in different areas”.
Ramadan Qarni, Director of TRENDS Cairo office, stated that “TRENDS’ participation in this event underscores our commitment to supporting dialogue and cooperation between Arab countries and China. We are confident that enhancing cultural cooperation between the two sides will contribute to creating a brighter future for Arab-China relations”.
Noura Al-Hebsi noted that TRENDS is always committed to participating in various events and activities that enhance Arab-China relations, emphasizing the center’s readiness to provide its expertise and research to support cooperation and promote global knowledge and dialogue.
Representing TRENDS at the workshop were a research delegation including Ayesha Al-Remeithi, Director of the Research Department, Noura Al-Hebsi, Director of the Publications Department, and Ramadan Qarni, Director of TRENDS Cairo office. The paper focused on the deep historical ties between the Arab and Chinese civilizations, the achievements made in cultural cooperation over the past decades, the challenges faced, and the future prospects for its development.
The paper highlighted the profound historical and cultural relations between the Arab and Chinese civilizations, noting that the ancient Silk Road served as a bridge for cultural exchange between them.
Ayesha Al-Remeithi and Ramadan Qarni discussed mechanisms for cultural cooperation between Arabs and China within the framework of the Arab-China Cooperation Forum. These mechanisms cover areas such as scientific research, education, language learning, cultural festivals and events, preservation of cultural heritage, sister city partnerships, shared publishing, participation in book fairs, tourism cooperation, joint film and television productions, and translation initiatives.
They also addressed the challenges facing cultural cooperation between Arabs and China, such as mutual stereotypes, limited cultural production exchange, weak translation and academic publishing activities, limited joint scientific research outputs, the negative impacts of Western media, the elitist nature of artistic performances, Western political influences, and the lack of Arab cultural coordination.
The paper presented a strategic vision for developing cultural relations between Arab states and China, focusing on strengthening commonalities and positive collective memory, developing partnerships in education, translation, and publishing, leveraging literary and sports events, and enhancing media communication and social media platforms.
It recommended increasing the exchange of educational and student missions between the two sides, enhancing cooperation between Arab and Chinese universities in joint research, establishing more Arab cultural centers in China and vice versa, organizing diverse cultural activities such as art exhibitions, musical and theatrical performances, film screenings, translating literary and artistic works from Arabic to Chinese and vice versa, and supporting cooperation in content creation, such as joint film and series production, video games, music, and encouraging investment in joint cultural projects.
TRENDS’ paper received significant attention from participants, who praised its rich content and valuable analyses.
Ayesha Al-Remeithi, Director of the Research Department at TRENDS, stated that “TRENDS’ participation in this important event reflects our commitment to enhancing Arab Chinese relations in various fields, including cultural cooperation. We firmly believe that fostering cultural cooperation between the two sides is fundamental to promoting mutual understanding, strengthening bonds of friendship, and deepening cooperation in different areas”.
Ramadan Qarni, Director of TRENDS Cairo office, stated that “TRENDS’ participation in this event underscores our commitment to supporting dialogue and cooperation between Arab countries and China. We are confident that enhancing cultural cooperation between the two sides will contribute to creating a brighter future for Arab-China relations”.
Noura Al-Hebsi noted that TRENDS is always committed to participating in various events and activities that enhance Arab-China relations, emphasizing the center’s readiness to provide its expertise and research to support cooperation and promote global knowledge and dialogue.
