China studies take root in Arab nations

Chen from the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences said China respects the Arab world's aspirations for autonomy and independent development. This approach contrasts sharply with the externally imposed influences that the Arab world has endured for a long time.

"This contrast is what is transforming the eastward focus from a mere rhetorical stance into substantive actions supported by institutional frameworks," she added.

At the government level, countries such as Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Egypt are prioritizing cooperation with China in their development plans, leading to government support for Chinese research centers and language programs.

In academic circles, Arab scholars are seeking alternatives to Western theories by exploring China's development experience and fostering increasing interest in China studies. Furthermore, Chinese language skills have proved to be stepping stones to employment and economic opportunities, especially in trade and digital sectors, Wang of the China-Arab Research Center on Reform and Development said.

Since China and Egypt established diplomatic relations in 1956, China studies in Arab countries has gone through three phases, Wang noted.

From the 1950s to the end of the Cold War, studies were heavily influenced by Cold War perspectives and relied on Western sources and limited original research.

From the end of the Cold War to 2013, economic and trade growth led universities to introduce Chinese language programs. The studies expanded to include China's economic reforms but remained focused on language teaching.

From 2013 onward, the Belt and Road Initiative spurred the establishment of Chinese research centers. Now, scholars are exploring more topics, including governance, the digital economy, poverty alleviation, ecological civilization, China-Arab relations, and Global South theories. They are also increasingly using Chinese sources and fostering a local perspective.

The most popular research area is the study of Chinese-style modernization and governance experience, followed by comparative studies of Chinese and Arab civilizations and the construction of an independent knowledge system, Chen said.

Chen and Wang both agreed that the key to promoting the development of China studies in the Arab world through China-Arab cooperation is "joint China-Arab production of knowledge about China", and coordinated efforts in the joint cultivation of academic disciplines and talent, translation of literary resources, topic setting based on equal dialogue, and mechanisms for academic exchange and support.

Chen said that what's most special about China-Arab relations is that the two civilizations already have a long history of communication and exchange. China-Arab relations are currently in their best period in history. By the end of 2024, China had formed strategic or comprehensive strategic partnerships with over 20 Arab countries and the Arab League.

The cooperation between China and Arab nations can provide a paradigm reference for Global South cooperation, Chen said, and Arab nations can serve as a relay point in a network to further spread knowledge about China among Global South countries.

A good way is to promote joint knowledge production involving three or more parties, she said.

Wang agreed that the development of China studies in the Arab world provides valuable insights for sharing Chinese knowledge with the Global South. The key shift, as Wang pointed out, is moving from "broadcasting knowledge outward" to "building knowledge together as equals".

He said Global South scholars offer the best interpretation of China, drawing on their own experiences and contexts. As a result, China's role should be to provide resources and encourage dialogue while respecting each country's right to interpret information independently.

Given that topics such as poverty reduction, infrastructure development and digital transformation are particularly relevant to the Global South, future collaborations should focus on sharing experiences and solutions to these shared challenges, he said.

According to him, knowledge exchange relies heavily on language and academic structures. Translation, library resources and training are essential, though they require long-term commitment.

"We should try to create an academic network among Global South scholars that crosses national and regional boundaries, so that by sharing their perspectives on China and modernization, the scholars can foster a diverse and collaborative knowledge ecosystem that challenges the dominance of Western-centric narratives," Wang said.

Meanwhile, China is also working toward better communication and exchanges with Arab countries.

Last year, Shanghai University established the Center for Egyptology. Professor Guo Dantong, the university's leading Egyptologist, said that China's Egyptology's strength lies in its unique comparative perspective. Chinese researchers can place Egypt within broader regional networks, exploring its interactions with West Asia, the Mediterranean and Africa, while also comparing Egyptian civilization with those of ancient China, Greece and Mesopotamia.

So far, the center has released two translated volumes of economic and legal documents from Egypt's New Kingdom period, with a third volume currently in production. In December 2025, it introduced Egyptology Studies, the first Chinese anthology of academic papers devoted solely to this field.