Beijing , China- August 27, 2025
– In a significant step toward deepening cultural and economic ties, China and Arab states have signed a series of agreements worth nearly $361 million to boost tourism cooperation. The agreements were the centerpiece of a high-profile meeting in Yinchuan, the capital of northwest China’s Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, on Wednesday. The event, a key part of the 7th China-Arab States Expo, brought together delegates from dozens of countries, signaling a new era of tourism diplomacy.
The China-Arab States Tour Operators Matchmaking and Exchange Meeting saw approximately 300 guests from 28 countries and regions gather to discuss a wide range of cooperation opportunities. Among the notable participants were representatives from Jordan, Qatar, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait, along with officials, travel agencies, and scholars from China and the wider Arab world. The presence of such a diverse group underscores the growing importance of tourism as a bridge for cultural understanding and economic partnership.
Hussam Al Husseini, Jordan’s ambassador to China, hailed the event as “an important step forward to promote dialogue and friendship among our cities through tourism.” He expressed hope that the meeting would explore new avenues for cooperation and foster more exchanges between the peoples of China and the Arab states.
The 14 agreements signed during the meeting cover a wide range of tourism-related fields. They include partnerships focused on facilitating passenger flow, developing study tours, and creating themed tourism projects and cultural-tourism complexes. The deals are designed to leverage the complementary strengths of both sides, with the aim of developing new travel routes, products, and a framework for resource sharing and market collaboration. The agreements are also expected to promote two-way tourism, encouraging more Chinese tourists to visit Arab countries and vice versa.
The event also featured the release of the “China-Arab Tourism Index” and the “2025 China-Arab Tourism Trend Analysis Report,” providing data and insights to guide future cooperation. Delegates had the opportunity to take part in inspection tours of Ningxia’s major attractions, including Yellow River cultural sites, desert destinations, and local wineries, with the goal of fostering new business partnerships. Additionally, the opening of a “Silk Road Bazaar” showcased food and handicrafts from Belt and Road partner countries, including Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Nepal, highlighting the broader economic and cultural ties that underpin these tourism initiatives.
The focus on tourism cooperation is a strategic part of China’s broader effort to expand its influence and partnerships, particularly within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative. By fostering closer ties through tourism, China aims to build on a foundation of shared cultural heritage and mutual interest to achieve a more comprehensive and sustainable relationship with the Arab world. The agreements reached in Yinchuan are a testament to the growing demand for cultural exchange and the immense economic potential of this burgeoning tourism corridor.
Headline Points:
* Major Tourism Deals: China and Arab states sign 14 agreements worth nearly $361 million to boost tourism cooperation.
* Meeting in Yinchuan: The deals were inked at a high-level meeting in Yinchuan, a key part of the 7th China-Arab States Expo.
* Participating Countries: Delegates from 28 countries and regions attended, including representatives from Jordan, Qatar, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait.
* Agreements Cover Key Areas: The agreements focus on passenger flow, study tours, themed tourism, and cultural-tourism complexes.
* Cultural and Economic Exchange: The event highlights tourism’s role in promoting cultural understanding and expanding economic partnerships within the Belt and Road Initiative.
