AUS and Peking University Guanghua School of Management host summit on China–Arab economic collaboration

The American University of Sharjah (AUS), in collaboration with Peking University Guanghua School of Management (PKU), hosted a high-level summit titled “Sharing the Future: New Opportunities for China–Arab Economic Development” on October 22 at AUS. The event brought together more than 500 leaders, policymakers, and academics to explore avenues for China–UAE and China–Arab cooperation in economic growth, innovation, and sustainable development.

The summit featured keynote speeches and expert panels examining China–UAE partnerships under the UAE Economic Vision 2031, the strategic importance of Middle East markets in a shifting global economy, and emerging collaboration opportunities in energy, technology, and trade.

Opening remarks were delivered by Dr. Tod A. Laursen, Chancellor of AUS, and H.E. Ou Boqian, Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Dubai, who both highlighted the role of academic partnerships in advancing bilateral cooperation and fostering innovation-led growth.

Keynote speakers included Reem Baggash, Deputy Managing Director at the World Governments Summit Organization, UAE Prime Minister’s Office, and President of the AUS Alumni Association Board; Dr. Liu Qiao, Professor of Finance and Dean of Peking University Guanghua School of Management, who spoke on “The Changing Global Economy: China’s Economic Growth and International Cooperation”; and Dr. Samer Saleh Kherfi, Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Economics at AUS, who discussed regional growth dynamics and the role of research-driven policy in shaping sustainable development.

The program also featured two expert panels:

• “China–UAE Collaborative Development in New Energy” – exploring grid integration, hydrogen and storage technologies, project finance, and research commercialization.

• “AI-Enabled Manufacturing Upgrades” – addressing industrial AI, smart factory transformation, supply-chain digitization, and workforce upskilling.

Commenting on the significance of the summit, Dr. Salah Brahimi, Vice Chancellor for External Affairs at AUS, said:

“At AUS, we see higher education as a driver of international cooperation and economic progress. This summit underlined how academic partnerships can shape policy, advance industry, and create pathways for meaningful collaboration between the UAE, China, and the wider Arab region.”

Dr. Liu Qiao, Dean of Peking University Guanghua School of Management, added:

“Collaboration between China and the Arab world forms the foundation for the next era of global economic growth. This summit reflects our shared commitment to connecting academic excellence with real-world impact through knowledge exchange, innovation, and cross-border partnerships. Fostering green energy and digital transformation is vital to shaping a sustainable economic future.”

The AUS–PKU Summit was jointly organized by the AUS Office of External Affairs, the Department of International Studies in the College of Arts and Sciences, and the School of Business Administration.