China and the Arab League publish joint statement that showcases Beijing’s growing geopolitical ambitions

China and the Arab League published a sweeping joint statement (in Chinese) on Monday that highlights Beijing’s increasingly ambitious geopolitical agenda in the Middle East and Persian Gulf regions.

• The statement followed a Sunday meeting between visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wáng Yì 王毅 and Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul-Gheit in the Egyptian coastal city of El-Alamein, where Wang also met with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi.

Context: There’s a widespread perception in many corners of the Chinese foreign policy community that growing fatigue in both the U.S. and Arab countries over Washington’s presence in the region is providing a new opening for Beijing to become a more visible player.

• China also regards the Arab League as a critical supporter for its controversial policies in Xinjiang and in rebuffing U.S. and European charges of genocide against the Uyghur Muslim population.

Key highlights from the China-Arab League Joint Statement

• COVID-19 cooperation, including the local manufacturing of vaccines in Egypt, the UAE, and Morocco.
• Belt and Road expansion.
• Xinjiang: The statement does not mention the western Chinese region or the Uyghurs by name, but the reference to “uphold non-interference in internal affairs, continue to support each other on issues involving each other’s core interests and major concerns” is clear in this context. (The Arab League has been a vocal supporter of China’s Xinjiang policies in Xinjiang.)
• Middle East peace: China has been angling to become more involved in the Arab-Israeli peace process and used this joint statement as another opportunity to bolster its lagging credibility as a mediator.

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