Academic Dialogue of First China—Arab Youth Friendship Week Held

he youth academic delegations totaling 30 members， organized and sent by the Lebanese-Chinese League for Friendship and Cooperation， the Association of Tunisia-China Friendship and the Oman-China Friendship Association， paid a visit to Beijing from September 2 to 11， 2014. Among their activities， they attended the academic dialogue of the First China-Arab Youth Friendship Week jointly sponsored with the CPAFFC and the above three organizations.

The dialogue was organized by the United Arab Emirates Center for Arabic Language and Islamic Studies — set up with donations from the late President of the UAE Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan — within the Beijing Foreign Studies University. Young scholars from Lebanon， Tunisia， Oman and China had in-depth discussions on bilateral relations， China’s experience in development and its role in resolving Middle East problems， cultural exchanges and cooperation in the cultural industry， medical cooperation between China and the Arab world， Chinese and Arab youths’ public diplomatic activities， as well as how to realize both the “Chinese Dream” and the “Arab Dream”.

All the participants said the dialogue was a good opportunity for the Chinese and Arab young people to increase mutual understanding and have in-depth non-governmental youth academic exchanges.

Besides the academic dialogue， the Arab delegates visited Beijing Sport University where they had a chance to practice qigong， and the Museum of Traditional Chinese Medicine in the Beijing University of Chinese Medicine and major historical sites and famous scenic spots in Beijing， which helped them gain better knowledge of Chinese traditional culture. Through these activities， they deepened their mutual understanding and learned to be more tolerant and appreciative of one another， while gaining a more favorable impression of China.

This year happens to be the Year of Friendship between China and Arab Countries and the 10th anniversary of the China-Arab Cooperation Forum. Leaders of both China and Arab countries have put forward a series of suggestions including exchanges between Chinese and Arab youth to further develop and consolidate China-Arab relations.

At the opening ceremony of the Sixth Ministerial Meeting of the China-Arab Cooperation Forum， Chinese President Xi Jinping put forward the initiatives of carrying forward the spirit of the Silk Road， deepening China-Arab all-round cooperation， jointly developing China-Arab strategic relations of cooperation and building the Belt and Road.

Activities of the China-Arab Youth Friendship Week carried out by the CPAFFC are the result of implementing President Xi’s initiatives. It aimed at enhancing mutual understanding between the Chinese and Arab people and deepening traditional friendship between China and Arab countries through youth exchanges.

During the delegation’s stay in Beijing， they met Feng Zuoku， CPAFFC Vice President； Zhou Lie， President of the Beijing International Studies University； Li Yansong， Vice President of Peking University； Yang Geng， Vice President of the Beijing Normal University； Yan Guohua， Vice President of the Beijing Foreign Studies University； and Chi Jian， Vice President of the Beijing Sport University.

* The Belt and Road refers to the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road.