China wants to expand its defense and anti-terrorism cooperation with the nations of the Arab world, according to a new policy paper issued by the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

In the voluminous policy document containing the basic principles behind China's development plans for the Arab diaspora, Beijing outlines a policy framework for deepening all-around cooperation between China and its allies in the Arab world. The framework includes the promotion of partnerships for peace and stability in the region.

Like Us on Facebook

China is looking to expand and enhance its military and ant-terror cooperation with its Arab allies, according to the paper, which raises the possibility of improved sharing of anti-terror intelligence and conducting joint military exercises with the 22 nations of the Arab League.

"We will strengthen exchange of visits of military officials, expand military personnel exchange, deepen cooperation on weapons, equipment and various specialized technologies, and carry out joint military exercises," the document says. "We will continue to support the development of national defence and military forces of Arab States to maintain peace and security of the region."  

Entitled "China's Arab Policy Paper", the foreign ministry issued the document -- the first of its kind to be made public by the Chinese government -- without prior notice to the press.

The document has been welcomed -- and lauded -- by political analysts and experts in the Arab world, according to state-run news agency Xinhua.

Political expert Emad Eddin Hussein, who is editor-in-chief of the newspaper Shorouk, observed that China does not have a history of colonialism in the Arab states, unlike the US, the UK, France and other Western nations.

"There is a heritage of distinguished human relations and favorable sentiments and friendliness between the Chinese and the Arabs," Hussein is quoted by Xinhua as saying.

In December, the Chinese government -- which is grappling with its own domestic terrorism problem -- passed an anti-terrorism law that allows its military to venture to overseas on counter-terrorism operations. Beijing had earlier reported that militant Uighurs have travelled to Syria and Iraq to fight alongside the forces of the Islamic State of Iraq and Greater Syria (ISIS).

China likewise relies on its trading partners in the Middle East for much of its oil imports.  The Diplomat reports that more than half of the oil imported into the country in 2014 came from the Middle East.  Some analysts have suggested that Chinese refiners actually prefer the medium and heavy grade oil imported from the Gulf regions.

Tagsarabs, Arab League, anti-terrorism