he opening ceremony of the 5th Workshop for Officials from Arab States was held by Center for China and Arab States Reform and Development Studies (the Center) on Oct. 22, 2018 at Shanghai International Studies University (SISU). Professor Zhang Feng, vice president of SISU, and Professor Wang Guangda, secretary-general and executive director of the Center’s Council attended the opening ceremony and delivered welcoming speeches. Ashraf Ali Gadkarim, director of Department of Finance at League of Arab States (LAS), and Tarek Ladeb, director of Arabic and Islamic Organizations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tunisia, delivered speeches respectively on behalf of LAS and the participants. The opening ceremony was hosted by Associate Professor Chen Yueyang from School of Asian and African Studies.

Professor Zhang Feng introduced the university’s vision and mission, and its goal of establishing itself into a world-class university with specialty in area studies and international studies. He pointed out that the Center had so far successfully held four seminars, which laid a solid foundation for China and Arab States to enhance mutual understanding and develop deeper friendship, strengthening people-to-people bonds between the two sides. He said that this workshop would invite authoritative experts to deliver lectures and arrange rich research activities, creating opportunities for participants to exchange opinions with Chinese scholars and explore the development path of China and Arab States’ reform. He hoped that the participants would make full use of the resources. SISU would do its utmost to provide support for the Center , making its contribution to the further development of China-Arab States relations.

Professor Wang Guangda introduced the development and achievements of the Center since its establishment. The Center is designed to be a world-class think tank base and an international communication platform, with the functions of talent cultivation, officials training, international communication, think tank research, etc. Over the past one and a half years, a council and an expert committee have been established, with more than 100 officials from over 20 Arab states participating in the workshops.

On behalf of the LAS, Ashraf Ali Gadkarim expressed his gratitude to Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Chinese Ministry of Education, the Shanghai Municipal Government and Shanghai International Studies University. He believes that "Arab States and China have always maintained close ties and attached great importance to promoting regional peace and cooperation. The experience and model of China's economic and social modernization are inspiring and worth learning."

Tarek Ladeb spoke on behalf of the participants. He mentioned that "China and LAS have different advantages and have rich experience in cooperation. They are willing to cooperate to strengthen bilateral partnerships under the principle of peace, friendship, openness and mutual benefit. We believe that it is the common aspiration of both sides to further strengthen and expand cooperation. In this regard, the Center plays a significant role."

32 officials from 16 countries including Algeria, Jordan, Djibouti, Iraq, Palestine, Oman, Sudan, Yemen, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Libya, Somalia, Mauritania, Morocco, Tunisia and Comoros attended the workshop. During the 10-day program, the Center will invite well-known Chinese experts and scholars to deliver speeches on the the Belt and Road initiative, China's reform and opening up policy, and Sino-US relations, etc, and arrange abundant activities.