1st Women's Forum Enhances Understanding, Cooperation Between China, Arab States

A women's forum between China and Arab countries kicks off in Yinchuan, capital of northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, on September 12. [Ningxia Women's Federation/Zhou Huiqin]

A women's forum between China and countries in the Middle East kicked off in Yinchuan, capital city of northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, on Saturday, to promote bilateral economic exchanges and cooperation among Chinese and Arab women.

The forum was the first ever such event launched during the annual China-Arab States Expo, a platform to promote ties between China and other Arab countries held from September 10-12.

Women representatives from Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Sudan and Tunisia, and more than 20 China's provincial-level women's federations, as well as outstanding Chinese women entrepreneurs, attended the forum.

During the event, they exchanged opinions and ideas, communicated and transferred mutual friendship. Both sides reach agreements on bilateral cooperation and development surrounding the "One Belt, One Road" economic strategy.

"One Belt, One Road" is a development strategy started by the Chinese government in 2013. It refers to the New Silk Road Economic Belt, which will link China with Europe through Central and Western Asia, and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, which will connect China with Southeast Asian countries, Africa and Europe. The initiatives, first put forward by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013, carry forward the spirit of the ancient Silk Road that was based on mutual trust, equality and mutual benefits, as well as inclusiveness, mutual learning and win-win cooperation.

Cui Yu, vice-president and member of the Secretariat of the All-China Women's Federation, said in her speech that this year, as the year of China-Arab friendship, is crucial for Chinese and Arab women to promote mutual development hand-in-hand.

Cui Yu also said that the move of inviting 17 representatives from seven Arab countries to attend the forum was a reflection of the exchanges and innovative cooperation in women's fields. The forum will become a new platform for Chinese and Arab women to share experiences, condense their wisdom, gather strength and broaden their mutual understanding.

Cui Yu hoped that Chinese and Arab women can unite closely to contribute to "One Belt, One Road" and further play their roles.

Cui Bo, deputy Party chief of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, stressed in his speech that Ningxia was historically an important passage of transport and trade, the so-called "Silk Road." In recent years, the region has carried out cooperation in various fields including agriculture, energy, finance, culture and education among Arab countries and Muslim regions.

With their great power of promoting economic and social development and advancement of human civilizations, women have played a unique role in passing down human civilization and have gathered "positive energy" for Chinese-Arab cooperation, Cui Bo said.

Cui Bo added that the regional government will help establish a platform to present them with services and help them play a bigger role in the construction of the "One Belt, One Road" cooperation.

During the event, the president of Bahrain Young Female Entrepreneur Association introduced the development of women's work in the country and women's exchanges, and cooperation between China and Bahrain. Eleven representatives from home and abroad delivered keynote speeches.

Yang Zhanwu, president of Ningxia Federation of Social Science Circles, and member of the consultative committee of China-Arab States Expo, gave a lecture on promoting the construction of the "One Belt, One Road" and deepening Chinese-Arab cooperation.

Cui Yu, vice-president and member of the Secretariat of the All-China Women's Federation, speaks at the event. [Ningxia Women's Federation/Zhou Huiqin]

The president of Bahrain Young Female Entrepreneur Association gives a talk. [Ningxia Women's Federation/Zhou Huiqin]

Zhang Hui, president of Ningxia Women's Federation, speaks at the event. [Ningxia Women's Federation/Zhou Huiqin]

(Provided by Ningxia Women's Federation/Zhou Huiqin)