Chongqing - On November 26, Ahmed Mustafa, Arab League Ambassador to China, wrapped up a two-day visit to Chongqing, signalling growing interest in strengthening economic and cultural links between the southwestern Chinese city and Arab countries.
A Visit Focused on Trade, Technology, and Investment
During the visit from 25–26 November, Ambassador Mustafa toured several of Chongqing’s flagship industries — including Midea’s Lighthouse Factory, CHANGAN Automobile’s Global R&D Center, and the Yumaotong Foreign Trade Platform — gaining a first-hand look at the region’s manufacturing and smart-technology capabilities.
Corporate executives briefed the Ambassador on local strengths in intelligent manufacturing, automotive innovation, and cross-border trade services, while outlining their ambitions to expand into Middle Eastern markets.
Roundtable Brings Together 40 Chongqing Firms
On November 25, a key part of the visit was a dedicated roundtable on Chongqing–Arab League trade and investment, attended by more than 40 companies looking to go global.
Ambassador Mustafa told participants that China and Arab nations share a long history of cooperation. He highlighted opportunities not only in traditional sectors such as energy and agriculture, but also in fast-growing fields including renewable energy, manufacturing upgrade, and the digital economy.
He emphasised that Arab countries are ready to deepen investment and trade cooperation with Chongqing and encouraged firms to explore two-way opportunities.
Local companies raised practical questions on market access, legal frameworks, and cross-border operations — issues the Ambassador said Arab institutions are prepared to support.
Shared Vision for Future Cooperation
Officials from Chongqing municipal departments and the Nan’an Economic Development Zone also met with Ambassador Mustafa, outlining plans to expand collaboration in trade, industry, and cultural exchange.
Yang Xuchao, vice president of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade Chongqing Committee (CCPIT Chongqing), said he hopes to establish a dedicated Arab League trade and investment promotion office in the city to support long-term cooperation.
Ambassador Mustafa praised Chongqing’s progress in industrial upgrading and openness, saying he will submit a formal report after returning to Beijing to help shape concrete cooperation plans. Turning “shared understanding into real outcomes,” he said, will be key to advancing China–Arab ties.
Chongqing Positions Itself as a Gateway to the Middle East
As one of western China’s major inland opening hubs, Chongqing is seeking stronger engagement with Middle Eastern markets. The Ambassador’s visit, seen as a high-level endorsement, has opened new channels for local companies exploring opportunities in Arab countries.
City officials said that the exchanges mark the beginning of an accelerated phase of cooperation, covering two-way investment, trade facilitation, and people-to-people links, as Chongqing positions itself more firmly within China’s outreach to the Arab states.