In spite of the constant unrest in part of countries in West Asia and North Africa in 2013, China and Arabic countries, on the basis of “equality & mutual benefits, focus on actual effect, diversity and common development”, make full use of the complementary advantages and positively enhance bilateral economic and trade cooperation, which have constantly push the development of China-Arabic economic and trade relationship.
　
I. Pragmatic cooperation has been promoted by meetings between government officials.

China-Arabic countries leaders held various meetings in 2013. Heads of Pakistan, Jordan, Bahrain and Yemen visited China consecutively; Ministerial-level trade delegations from both sides had frequent visits. Moreover, China held a new round of joint commission on economic and trade with Yemen and Sudan in succession. These bilateral visits strengthened the traditional friendship among China and Arabic countries, deepened mutual political trust and vigorously push forward the pragmatic cooperation among China and Arabic countries in all fields.
　
II. Fruitful Achievements have been made in China-Arabic Expo.

The first China-Arabic countries Expo (hereinafter referred to as the "Expo") was held in Yinchuan, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region in September 2013. The Expo won praise at home and abroad and made fruitful achievements. Heads of Jordan and Bahrain led the delegation to attend the Expo and the host country—Kuwait also sent a delegation with more than 120 persons to attend the Expo. During the Expo, various activities like the forum, exhibition and matchmaking meetings were held to further promote bilateral economic and trade ties. More than 30 economic and trade cooperation projects were signed by enterprises from both sides, involving a contract value of more than RMB60 billion Yuan.

III. Bilateral trade grew steadily.

In January-October 2013, trade among China and Arabic countries maintained steady growth, with a total trade value of USD194.95 billion, going up by 5.8% year on year. China’s export to Arabic countries amounted to USD81.98 billion and import from Arabic countries reached to USD112.97 billion. China and Arabic countries are an important trade partner to each other and bilateral trade structures were also optimized. The textile & garment, mechanical and electrical products, and articles for daily use from China are generally accepted by people of the Arabic countries. China’s automobile has gradually become an important transport vehicle for more and more Arabic families. In addition, Arabic countries continue to be China’s largest source of crude oil, and in addition to the traditional petrochemical and mineral products, Arabic countries' marble and olive oil gradually enter into Chinese market.

IV. China’s investment in Arabic countries grew robustly.

In January-October 2013, China’s non-financial direct investment in Arabic countries amounted to USD1.59 billion, going up by 179% year on year, 160 percentages higher than the national average. Among others, Saudi Arabia, Algeria and Sudan are the top three investment destinations. Besides, China’s investment in Arabic countries has extended from resource development, petrochemical industry, textile & garment to areas of machinery manufacturing and automobile assembly, which effectively promoted the development of local industries and created a large number of job opportunities.

V. Contracted projects cooperation picked up obviously.

Influenced by the constant regional unrest, China’s cooperation on contracted projects with Arabic countries have dropped off successively in the past two years. Since 2013, Chinese enterprises’ contracted projects in Arabic countries have begun to recover thanks to the increased input on infrastructure by local governments so as to maintain the local stability and improve people’s livelihood. In January-October 2013, China’s newly signed contract value registered USD19.93 billion, a year-on-year increase of 31.8%; turnover was USD17.25 billion, rising by 9.8% year on year. The contracted projects also covered a wide area, which has expanded from housing construction and road & bridge building to various areas like pipe laying, communication, railway, port and construction materials with higher technology and better equipment.

(All information published on this website is authentic in Chinese. English is provided for reference only.)