Key highlights of the press briefing session held in the Republic of China’s Embassy in Tunisia
10-06-2024
Press Follow-up regarding Tunisia’s President Kais Saïed’s official state visit to China and his participation in the opening ceremony of the 10th edition of the Ministerial Meeting of the ‘’Chinese-Arab Cooperation Forum’’
As part of the International Center of Strategic, Security and Military Studies’ coverage of the press conference on ‘’ President Kais Saïed’s official state visit to China and his attendance at the inaugural ceremony of the 10th edition of the Ministerial Meeting of the ‘’Chinese-Arab Cooperation Forum’’
During a press conference held on Thursday, June 6th, 2024 at the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China, the Chinese ambassador, his Excellency Mr. ‘’Wan Li’’, has expressed his hopes for strengthening bilateral relations between China and Tunisia, emphasizing the importance of mutual economic cooperation.
He added that the two nations’ leaders have a strong will in diversifying their various cooperation sectors, declaring that : ‘’This will be translated in multiple sectors’’.
Key Outcomes : Establishing serious Chinese relations with Tunisia and the Arab World
His excellency, the Chinese ambassador, Mr. Wan Li, has highlighted the most important outputs of President Kais Saïed’s visit in three main key notes:
First, strengthening political trust between the two countries.
Second, the importance of enhancing Scientific Research and Academic Training
Third, the importance of building Sino-Arab relations to support multipolarity and fostering a more just and tolerant globalization
His Excellency has also stated that China has manifested its support to Tunisia in discovering its right path that aligns with its unique characteristics in the context of its plan to develop the country and achieve prosperity.
Besides, the chinese leadership has asserted on the acceptance of Tunisia to encourage the International Government, to work together to support the real and just pluralism and multipolarity between countries, and to support China’s unity and its efforts to defend its core interests in Taïwan’s case.
In line with official consultations, China has expressed its serious commitment to implementing infrastructure projects such as the “Kairouan Medical City”, and establishing a center for medical research on cancer disease in Gabes. Additionally, China aims to pursue projects related to energy, green development and agriculture.
His Excellency has expressed China’s aspirations to build a high level Sino-Arab and African Cooperation Forum, announcing that China will organize in September a new conference on the Sino-Chinese Summit, declaring that its leader has extended an official invitation to Tunisia.
He also mentioned the signature of seven agreements, covering the economic, artistic and technical aspects.
His Excellency has also said that the Chinese leadership has insisted on developing the increase of membership in the Sino-Arab Banks Federation, and accelerating the rate of cooperation projects’ implementation in the framework of ‘’Private loans to encourage the industrial operation in the Middle East’’ and of ‘’Private loans to encourage financial cooperation between China and Arab States’’. China is also welcoming the Arab States to issue ‘’Panda Bonds’’ in China.
‘’Panda Bonds’’ are Chinese-Yuan denominated bonds issued by foreign entities and are exclusively used to fund development projects, and is supported by a credit guarantee given by International Development Banks, The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and the African Development Bank.
Mr. Wan Li has affirmed that the chinese side is actively working on implementing developmental cooperation projects valued at 3 Billion Chinese Yuan Renminbi, equivalent to 900 Million Dollars, will be dynamic. His Excellency has also reassured, based on the recent statements of the Chinese president, that efforts to boost the pace of negotiations with the Arab side on bilateral and regional free trade agreements, are being done.
Adding that Tunisia is facing economic hardships because of internal and external factors, and that it needs to review and enhance procedures to attract foreign investments, taking as example the Chinese company that wanted to invest in the solar energy sector in Tunisia but the framing law has not determined the procedures to fix electricity price, which forced it to leave the country.
“China” as a premier destination for Tunisia, the Arab World and Africa
President Saïed’s visit to Beijing has confirmed the strong will to build a new world that puts an end to domination and that favors justice, equality and the humanitarian common legacy.
When asked whether China intends to replace the European Union, Tunisia’s traditional partner, to secure a broader scope in African markets, his excellency said that Tunisia’s interests lie in the diversity of friends and that the Chinese partner does not seek to replace parts in Tunisia or any other Arab country, considering that the aim of anchoring strategic partnership between Tunisia and China, is strengthening relations and not filling the gaps.
He also stated that :’’ This cooperation benefits both sides’ interests, and is nor a rival to a third party, nor impacted by it. Besides, the people of the Middle East are not a third party’s backyard.’’ Insisting especially on China’s attention to reinforce cooperation with developing countries on a basis of mutual benefit and common gain
The culture of civilizations an the future of Nations: “A unified Human Community”
The exchange of civilizations is a pillar in China’s aspirations, as His Excellency has expressed that:’’ we look forward to present the Chinese people in Tunisia and to reinforce cultural exchange between people.’’
The Tunisian National Office for Tourism in China is seeking, during his participation in Shanghai Exposition for International Touristic Exchange, to present the Chinese-Tunisian destination, considering the importance of Chinese touristic market. In addition, Tunisia is hoping to take advantage of this opportunity to introduce the Tunisian people with its various civilizations through different means and platforms to attract growing numbers of Chinese tourists to Tunisia.
The Ambassador has also expressed his good wishes in writing a new history on a governmental and popular level between Tunisia and China in the occasion of the 60th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between the two countries.
A Forum that Gained Arab Attention and International Recognition
The Palestinian Cause and China’s supportive stance
His Excellency, the Chinese Ambassador to Tunisia, stated that ’’ War should not continue for an undetermined date, the endless absence of justice is impermissible, and the Two-State solution should not depend on mood swings.’’
Pointing out that the Chinese President, Mr. Xi Jinping, has affirmed that the Middle East is a rich territory with important opportunities for development, yet it remains engulfed in the flames of war. Since last October, the Palestinian-Israeli war has escalated sharply, which has thrown people in a huge wave of suffering.
Mr. Xi Jinping has added that China is firmly supporting the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with a full sovereignty, defined with 1967’s borders and has East Jerusalem as its capital. China supports as well Palestine’s full membership in the United Nations, and it supports holding an International Peace Conference with a larger participation, more credibility and a better effectiveness.
Mr. Xi Jinping has indicated that China will continue to offer its assistance to help reduce humanitarian crisis in Gaza and to support its reconstruction in post-war phase. China will also continue to assist the work of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East ‘’UNRWA’’ in distributing emergency humanitarian aid in Gaza.
Russian-Ukrainian war and peace talks
Regarding the Russian-Ukrainian war, however, His Excellency the Ambassador Mr. Wan Li, has highlighted China’s position about the Ukrainian crisis, which is reinforcing peace talks, asserting that China’s Foreign Affairs Ministry has manifested a firm position about the Ukrainian crisis and about reinforcing peace talks.
And although the conditions to organize peace talks has not been achieved yet, China will continue its efforts to establish peace, pointing out that the world became aware of ‘’The West’s hypocrisy against the interests of the victim people.’’
In the press conference’s closure, His Excellency, China’s ambassador Mr. Wan Li, has emphasized on the importance of the Centers of Research and Studies, as they had an essential role in developing the Tunisian-Chinese relations, highlighting the special recommendations proposed by Tunisia’s President, Mr. Kais Saïed, and the importance of Thinking, Culture and Education, and that Tunisia is the 2nd Arab State that teaches Chinese language in universities as it has been integrated in the Education system, which is a new gain, conserving yet the specificities of every people.
His Excellency has also pointed out that there’s a big number of projects waiting to come into effect, such as building ‘’The project of harbors in high seas’’, the Museum of ‘’Chinese cinema in Tunisia’’, projects in Radio-Television cooperation like Broadcasting a Radio Program called ‘’The Love for the Mountain and Sea’’, and projects in Archeology, since China has a lot of experiences and expertise in this field.
Moreover, His Excellency China’s Ambassador to Tunisia, Mr. Wan Li, has stated that Tunisia, leadership and people, has definitely earned a prestigious rank in the eyes of the People’s Republic of China, and had a warm popularity in the Arab-Chinese Forum. Adding that the doors of this great country will forever and ever be open to cooperation and friendliness with this Arab-African country ‘’Tunisia’’.
