Growing fondness: why are Arab youth increasingly drawn to China?
A recent public opinion survey conducted in Dubai targeting Arab youth revealed that eight out of 10 respondents consider China an ally, marking the highest number of respondents to hold this view in four years.
According to data from the United Nations Population Fund, the Arab region is characterized by a substantial youth population, with those under 30 years old constituting about 60 percent of the total population. As a result, numerous international media outlets have shown particular interest in this survey's results, which demonstrate an increasing trend of positive sentiments among Arab youth toward China.
The Global Times reporters found that with the advancement of internet technology and the expansion of avenues for people-to-people exchanges, Arab youth possess richer media exposure to China compared with previous generations. They also have more opportunities for face-to-face interactions with Chinese individuals, leading to a more diversified and contemporary understanding of China.
Moreover, Arab youth approaches the development of different nations worldwide with more pragmatic attitude and are eager to learn from the success stories of other countries.
Experts told the Global Times that further broadening the scope and depth of face-to-face exchanges between young people from China and Arab nations in technology, education, culture, and other domains should be a goal.
An urge to strive forward
Strolling through shops across various Middle Eastern countries, one can find an array of everyday consumer goods from China, such as data cables, power banks, and phone cases.
During the Qatar World Cup in 2022, Global Times reporters visited Doha and found that the backs of each World Cup souvenir item bore the familiar "Made in China" label. Ahmed, a shop assistant at a World Cup souvenir store in Doha, confirmed that many of their products were imported from China, as the wide variety and good quality of Chinese goods are favored by consumers.
Liu Zhongmin, Director of the Middle East Studies Institute at the Shanghai International Studies University, told the Global Times that the positive perception of China held by youth from Arab countries is largely influenced by the bilateral economic and trade exchanges, particularly since the cities of Guangzhou in South China's Guangdong Province, Yinchuan in Northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, and Yiwu in East China's Zhejiang Province, became windows connecting China and the Arab world.
China is the largest trading partner of Arab countries, with bilateral trade volume reaching around $430 billion in 2022, a historical record.
When asked about their impressions of Chinese people, 21-year-old Algerian Nura Omri revealed that she had previously held a rather stereotypical view, believing that the Chinese were subject to arduous labor and were uninterested in engaging with the outside world. However, Nura's perception of Chinese people has significantly changed as she got to know more Chinese friends through learning the Chinese language.
Nura, a master's student majoring in Media and Geopolitics at the University of Algiers 3, secured second place in the Chinese Bridge Competition in Algeria this year after studying Chinese for over a year. Nura stated, "The Chinese nation is a wise one; the Chinese people, just like us, are warm and hospitable, and delight in helping others."
Liu commented that in the realm of culture and society, the influence of Chinese TV dramas and films on the Arab region is gradually increasing. According to media reports, Arabic-dubbed versions of Chinese TV dramas have been aired in multiple Arab countries.
Abdel-Rahman, a 23-year-old graduate from Qatar University, specifically chose to get an internship at a construction project under a Chinese enterprise in Doha. He told the Global Times that he often saw videos on the internet showcasing China's rapid infrastructure development, and this time he finally had the opportunity to see it for himself.
The most profound impression left on him was the efficient project organization and management by Chinese companies, as well as the excellent work capability of his Chinese colleagues. "I feel like every Chinese colleague is an 'all-rounder'; whenever there is a shortage of staff due to vacation or other reasons, they can seamlessly take on other roles."
Similarly, in the job market, Ferial Hamdi from Algeria also favors Chinese companies. Born into a Berber family in the eastern Bouïra Province, Farida received a quality education and is fluent in English, French, Spanish, Arabic, and Berber. After graduating from university, she chose to work at a local Chinese company rather than a Western or an American one.
She told the Global Times that people often jest that the Chinese are like "robots," but she embraces this culture. She believes that it is this tenacious spirit that has enabled the Chinese nation to achieve remarkable feats in the world. Working with Chinese colleagues continually sparks her urge to strive for more.
More diverse, positive attitude
Favorable sentiments expressed toward China by people in Arab countries began in the 1950s and 1960s when New China steadfastly and selflessly supported the national liberation efforts of Arab countries, generously providing assistance and winning the goodwill and appreciation of Arab nations.
Global Times reporters have visited with or interviewed a number of older scholars and statesmen from Arab countries, and found well-worn copies of Selected Works of Mao Zedong that bear the mark of time.
Al-Rawda, an 18-year-old freshman at Egypt's Suez Canal University, told the Global Times that "Since childhood, my elders have told me about China's achievements in various fields, as well as its history and culture. It is because of this understanding that I chose to study Chinese."
Zou Zhiqiang, a research fellow at Fudan University's Middle East Research Center, told the Global Times that while the older generation in the region holds a friendly attitude toward China, their knowledge of China is not comprehensive. In their impression, China is depicted as having a large population, relatively underdeveloped, and of average product quality.
"However, the younger generation is less influenced by traditional thinking and stereotypes, and holds fewer ideological burdens," Zou said. "Their views on China are more diverse and positive, impressed by China's economic achievements and advanced national development. They regard China as a global technological and economic leader, and view it as a valuable model for Arab countries to learn from."
Resentment against US' hegemony
Against the backdrop of the comprehensive strategic partnership relations established between China and Saudi Arabia, the Global Times public opinion center recently conducted an online survey titled "China-Arab Relationship in the Eyes of Saudi Arabian Youth," which was carried out through online questionnaires targeting young people aged between 18 and 35 in Saudi Arabia, from July 4 to 11. A total of 300 valid questionnaires were collected.
The data shows that over 70 percent of the respondents have a positive impression of China, while only 47 percent, that is, less than half of the respondents have a positive impression of the US. Additionally, more than 70 percent of the respondents were aware of the cooperation between China and Saudi Arabia in fields such as infrastructure, trade, and energy, and over two-thirds of the respondents stated that they personally felt the tangible improvements in people's lives brought about by this cooperation.
The US has had significant influence in Arab countries for quite a long time. Some governments in the region still harbor hopes of financial assistance from the US to drive their economic and social development, while some of their citizens have been greatly influenced by American culture and education. However, the US' hegemonic actions, including frequently interfering in other countries' internal affairs and meddling in Arab countries' affairs, have resulted in growing resentment among people in Arab countries, analysts said.
After the 9/11 attacks, the US accused Saudi Arabia of supporting terrorists, while continues to suppress Arab countries under the pretext of human rights violations and religious freedoms in these countries, which has led to a deteriorating impression of the US among many people in Arab countries.
This trend was reflected in a survey conducted by a Dubai-based public relations firm in July, which included face-to-face interviews with 3,600 youth aged 18 to 24 across 53 cities in 18 Arab countries, according to a report by CNN.
In the survey, 80 percent of respondents considered China to be an ally to their country, and the US ranks seventh among "friendly" nations, compared with China, which ranked second in the Arab Youth Survey.
Arab countries rely more heavily on US in military security, Liu told the Global Times. However, in a broader sense of partnership, the youth in these countries now see China as more of a partner and an "ally," as the US consistently places its own interests ahead of those of its allies, while China's cooperation with Arab countries in various fields is based on mutual respect and mutual benefit, Liu said.
"Unlike the US, which makes empty promises and attaches many stringent political conditions to its aid to Arab countries, China is the most trustworthy country in the world today. China keeps its promises and is a good friend, which has done many good things for Arab and African countries," AL-Labib, a young Egyptian, told the Global Times.
Face-to-face communication
China and the Arab world have a historical foundation of friendly exchanges, and the relationship is further supported by strong practical factors.
China emphasizes exchanges and mutual learning between different civilizations to promote people-to-people connectivity. Recent years have seen many achievements in youth exchanges between the two sides.
Among the eight major initiatives by China-Arab practical cooperation put forward at the first China-Arab States Summit in December, 2022, the seventh is the cooperation initiative on youth development.
In July, the China-Arab youth friendship ambassadors 2023 program was inaugurated, with nearly 100 young representatives from Arab countries coming to China for exchanges. The China-Arab Cultural and Tourism Cooperation Research Center was also established on August 1. The training and exchange program for young sinologists initiated by the Chinese government has also attracted active participation from many students from Arab countries. This series of projects helps enhance mutual understanding and consolidate goodwill between China and Arab countries.
Compared with government-level cooperation, Zou believes that face-to-face exchanges among young people are more direct, emotional, and free. When young people from China and Arab countries travel or study in each other's countries, they can make local friends and engage in in-depth conversations, which will help to enhance mutual understanding and deepen friendships between the people of the two sides in a subtler and more impactful ways.
Zou believes that in the future, deeper and wider youth exchanges between China and Arab countries should be increased in fields of science and technology, education, and culture. Youth from Arab countries have a strong interest in China's emerging technologies, and this group is also a key force for government-level technological cooperation. Chinese technology and gaming companies can expand into the Arab market and increase their popularity among youth from Arab countries, which in turn can also help Arab countries cultivate young scientists and innovative talents.