A high-level Arab League delegation commemorated the 10th anniversary of the China-Arab Research Center on Reform and Development during a landmark visit to its Shanghai headquarters on January 15th. The delegation comprised permanent representatives from Arab nations to the League of Arab States alongside senior officials from the organization’s general secretariat.
Established in 2017 and administered by Shanghai International Studies University (SISU), the center has emerged as a pivotal institution in Sino-Arab relations. During the anniversary proceedings, Yin Dongmei, SISU Party Secretary and Center Chairperson, emphasized the university’s deep-rooted expertise in Arabic language education and regional studies, highlighting its sustained commitment to advancing China-Arab cooperation through multiple channels.
‘Over the past decade, SISU has maintained robust exchange mechanisms with the Arab League, yielding significant achievements in professional training, talent development, think tank research, and cultural diplomacy,’ Yin stated. She expressed optimism that the current visit would catalyze more substantive collaboration, thereby reinforcing the stability and long-term progression of China-Arab relations.
Leading the delegation, Kahtan Taha Khalaf, Ambassador of Iraq to Egypt and Permanent Representative to the Arab League, acknowledged the center’s critical function as a platform for bilateral exchange. ‘This institution provides indispensable support for deepening mutual understanding between our nations,’ Khalaf remarked, noting that Arab countries attach great importance to their relationship with China. He referenced the upcoming second China-Arab Summit in China as evidence of the relationship’s solid foundation and positive trajectory, pledging Arab support for the center’s continued development.
Vice-President of SISU and Center Director Yi Yonggang outlined ambitious plans for 2026, including the completion of a dedicated facility that will serve as a permanent venue for governance experience sharing. The new building will feature a thematic exhibition hall documenting the history and accomplishments of China-Arab interactions, creating an important window for cultural exchange and public diplomacy.
Additionally, SISU is accelerating the development of specialized Arab studies programs and constructing a comprehensive research model that integrates talent, academic, and technological resources. These initiatives aim to establish a high-level think tank and digital platform supporting the qualitative advancement of China-Arab relations. Arab representatives unanimously stressed the priority they place on relations with China and expressed eagerness to deepen practical cooperation in academic research, policy dialogue, and capacity building.