Women sample food at the China-Arab States Expo 2015 in Yinchuan. (Photo : Xinhua)
A forum promoting bilateral economic cooperation among Chinese and Arab women kicked off during the annual China-Arab States Expo in Yinchuan in the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region on Saturday.
The forum is meant to serve as a platform for Chinese and Arab women to share experiences and broaden mutual understanding.
There were 17 representatives coming from Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Sudan and Tunisia that met with those from more than 20 of China's provincial-level women's federations along with outstanding Chinese women entrepreneurs.
The event led to agreements on bilateral cooperation and development surrounding the "One Belt, One Road" economic strategy.
"One Belt, One Road" refers to the New Silk Road Economic Belt that 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.
Cui Yu, vice president and member of the Secretariat of the All-China Women's Federation, said that the regional government will help them play a bigger role in the "One Belt, One Road" cooperation.
A similar forum called the Arab-Chinese Women's Forum was held last April in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, with the theme "Women's Economic Empowerment."
Shaikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, a patron of the forum who made the keynote address in Abu Dhabi, credited the "Silk Route" for allowing the intermingling between Arab and Chinese that has lasted for many centuries.
Shaikha added that they are working together to build and revive this route as part of their developmental project.
