China's efforts improve prospects for Mideast prosperity

Modern Muslim countries have a history of relations with China that can be traced back thousands of years, even before the emergence of Islam. They were connected via the Silk Road and other means.

For example, China and Arab countries have developed a relationship for over 2,000 years, going back to when both civilizations were linked through the ancient route. Since then, China and Arab countries have been trading and developing strong cultural links. The Silk Road helped them to learn from each other and benefit from each other's civilization.

After the emergence of Islam, the relationship was further strengthened, as both civilizations have many common points. For example, both civilizations focused on people-centric governance, values, character, integrity, honesty and meritocracy for selecting rulers and officials. China is continuing the tradition.

The relationship also went through some disturbances during the century of humiliation of China, and in the early years of establishing the People's Republic of China. The Middle Eastern countries, especially the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, took time to establish diplomatic relations with the PRC.

Since then, the relationship between Saudi Arabia, other GCC nations and China has been improving, and China and Middle East countries have deep links in multiple fields.

Now the Middle East has become the top oil exporter to China. Data shows that the leading oil exporters to China from the region are Saudi Arabia, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Iran. Saudi Arabia is the leading exporter, with 19 percent, followed by Iraq at 11 percent; Oman at 8 percent; Kuwait, 7 percent; the UAE, 7 percent; and Iran, 6 percent. Almost 50 percent of China's oil imports come from these six countries.

China is also enhancing its investment links with all countries in the region. After the launch of the Belt and Road Initiative, the efforts have been accelerated.

China is also playing a role in bringing back sustainable development and peace to the region. China considers it important to talk about development needs and peace simultaneously.

According to President Xi Jinping, the region is facing a dual challenge of security and development deficits, and this is the primary reason for extremism and terrorism in the region. Therefore, both issues must be focused on at the same time.

China has deployed traditional Chinese wisdom to solve the security and development concerns of the region. It has presented a five-point proposal to solve the issues.

First, it is advocating mutual respect to foster the process of peace and development. It is also urging world players to come out of the mentality of geopolitics and self-centered policies. There is a need to work closely with countries in the region and build strong cooperation and partnerships to bring peace and development.

Second, equity and justice should be guiding principles to solve the issues, especially the Palestinian issue. China urges all countries to play a positive role in ensuring the sovereign rights of the Palestinian people. The Palestinian issue must be solved, and the United Nations should play its role here.

Third, nonproliferation must be achieved in the region. The US and Iran should engage and resume compliance with the landmark Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action agreement. Moreover, the international community should support efforts by countries in the region to establish a Middle East zone free of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction.

Fourth, collective security must be fostered jointly. Dialogue and solutions must focus on the legitimate concerns of all parties. All countries should respect one another and devise mechanisms to help lower conflict and enhance trust. The starting points can be ensuring the safety of oil facilities and shipping lanes, and building step by step a framework for collective, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security in the Middle East.

Fifth, development cooperation should be accelerated. President Xi once said that development is the master key for solving issues and ensuring sustainable peace. In this context, China is urging all players to join hands and work to improve the economic and development conditions of the region.

China also considers it important to help post-conflict countries rebuild, to support greater diversity in the economic growth of oil-producing countries, and to assist other Middle Eastern countries in achieving development and revitalization in light of the resource endowments of different countries in the region.

Furthermore, President Xi has proposed three actions to resolve the Palestinian issue. First, the people of Palestine have the right to freedom, and there should be a sovereign and independent state of Palestine according to the borders of 1967, with East Jerusalem as the capital. Second, the world community must give due attention to the needs of the people of Palestine and scale up assistance and aid to the people of Palestine. Third, the historical status quo of the holy sites in Jerusalem should be respected. A large-scale, more authoritative and more influential international peace conference should be convened to find a sustainable solution that can ensure peace between Palestine and Israel and in the region.

On the issue of Syria, China also proposed four actions to resolve the conflict. First, China urges the international community to respect Syria's national sovereignty and territorial integrity. Second, sanctions should be lifted to secure development. Third, terrorists and UN-designated terrorist organizations must be uprooted. Fourth, China supports inclusive and reconciliatory political solutions led by the people of Syria.

These initiatives show that China is serious about peace and development. In addition, it does not believe in only talking, but in taking practical steps as well. On this front, the most prominent example from the region is the rapprochement between Saudi Arabia and Iran. This is a huge success, considering the history of the two countries and the region. Thus, it is hoped that Chinese efforts will bear fruit and countries in the region will be able to devise special mechanisms for achieving sustainable peace and development.

The author is CEO of the Asian Institute of Eco-civilization Research and Development in Pakistan.