A Historic Visit of the Lebanese Chinese Business Association to China Toward Opening New Horizons for Lebanese Chinese Economic Cooperation
A Historic Visit of the Lebanese Chinese Business Association to China
Toward Opening New Horizons for Lebanese Chinese Economic Cooperation
Ali Mahmoud El Abdallah:
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The future holds great promise for strengthening relations and enabling Lebanese factories to benefit from Chinese technology and expertise.
- Intensive discussions in Beijing, Guangzhou, and Quanzhou affirm the strength of the relationship and launch plans to enhance economic cooperation.
Beijing and Beirut – December 22, 2025 – In a visit described as the broadest and most comprehensive of its kind between Lebanon and China, Ali Mahmoud El Abdallah, President of the Lebanese Chinese Business Association, carried out an intensive and highly successful tour of the People’s Republic of China. During the visit, he met with leaders and decision-makers at some of the most prominent economic and commercial institutions and centers in Beijing, Guangzhou, and Quanzhou.
The visit aimed to strengthen the historic economic partnership between Lebanon and China, explore new horizons for cooperation, and develop practical plans to enhance technological, industrial, and investment exchange between the two countries.
In a statement following the conclusion of the visit and his return to Lebanon, Ali Mahmoud El Abdallah stressed the strategic importance of these meetings, saying:
“Building on the solid historical relations that bring together the Lebanese Chinese Business Association and major governmental and private institutions in China, and in an effort to further strengthen these bilateral relations, discuss key developments, and enhance mechanisms for joint cooperation,particularly in the industrial and commercial sectors,we conducted an extensive visit that included three highly important and influential entities: the China Chamber of International Commerce in Beijing, the Canton Fair Administration and China Foreign Trade Centre, and the Quanzhou Council for the Promotion of International Trade. As a result of these visits and discussions, I can confidently say that the future holds great promise for developing these relations and maximizing the benefits for Lebanese factories and companies from trade and partnership opportunities with China.”
Beijing Meetings:
Confirming the Strength of Relations and Exploring Investment Opportunities
At the headquarters of the China Chamber of International Commerce (CCIC) in Beijing, a high-level meeting was held, chaired by Ali El Abdallah on the Lebanese side and attended by several senior officials from the Chamber. These included He Wenjun, Director of Relations for West Asia and Africa within the Joint Cooperation Department; Dai Fei, Gong Shun, and Liu Shenming, project managers in the same department, along with other department directors.
Discussions focused on several key areas, highlighting the strength of the relationship between the Lebanese Chinese Business Association and the CCIC, as well as the robustness of bilateral relations between China and Lebanon more broadly. Both sides emphasized the importance of reciprocal visits as an effective tool for enhancing cooperation.
Chinese officials underscored the strategic importance of Lebanon’s location and the economic opportunities it offers, calling for the strengthening and promotion of Lebanese factories and companies within the vast Chinese market.
Tourism also featured prominently in the discussions, with the Chinese side expressing confidence in Lebanon’s ability to attract a significant share of Chinese tourists and stressing the importance of promoting Lebanon’s unique tourism assets in China. During the meeting, Ali El Abdallah delivered a presentation highlighting the history of bilateral relations between the Association and the CCIC, as well as key joint activities and events.
The meeting concluded with an agreement on the importance of organizing a future visit by CCIC representatives to Lebanon to meet public and private sector stakeholders and directly explore available cooperation opportunities.
Guangzhou Meetings:
Strengthening the Presence of Lebanese Industry on the World’s Largest Trade Platform
In Guangzhou, El Abdallah held an important meeting with the management of the Canton Fair and the China Foreign Trade Centre, one of the world’s largest and oldest trade exhibitions. The meeting was attended by Zhao Yongqiang, Director General of the International Department at the China Foreign Trade Centre, and Jack Han, Head of VIP Relations.
During the meeting, the President of the Association submitted a request for the allocation of a dedicated space at preferential rates for Lebanese companies within the exhibition halls, enabling them to showcase their innovations, services, and industrial products to hundreds of thousands of visitors and international importers. He noted that the 138th edition of the Canton Fair attracted more than 300,000 global participants and generated export deals worth USD 25.65 billion.
The Chinese side revealed that a special invitation had been extended to Ali El Abdallah, along with prominent Lebanese figures, to participate in the celebrations of the 140th edition of the Fair scheduled for October 2026, which will also mark the 70th anniversary of this global trade landmark. Discussions also addressed ways to develop Lebanese industries and maximize their benefit from Chinese technology and expertise to enhance global competitiveness.
According to official statistics released last month, more than 310,000 foreign participants from 223 countries and regions attended the 138th Canton Fair, representing a 7.5% increase compared to the previous edition held in April.
Both sides noted that their cooperation spans 20 years, a partnership that has proven resilient through challenging periods, most notably during the COVID-19 pandemic, when collaboration continued through active participation in virtual seminars and conferences. The Chinese side praised El Abdallah’s seriousness and professionalism, considering him a distinguished global partner and an influential figure at both local and regional levels.
Quanzhou Stop:
Toward Building Direct Bridges of Cooperation
In Quanzhou, El Abdallah was welcomed by a high-level delegation from the Quanzhou Council for the Promotion of International Trade, headed by Ms. Liao Yabin, Chairwoman of the Council, Mr. Shi Lingyi, Vice President, and several department heads.
Chairwoman Liao Yabin warmly welcomed El Abdallah and presented a comprehensive overview of Quanzhou’s development advantages and vast potential, highlighting its leading and promising industrial clusters in sectors such as textiles, footwear, and building materials. This provided the Lebanese side with a clear roadmap for aligning industrial sectors and quickly identifying market opportunities. She also explained the Council’s mission and role in building economic platforms, supporting companies, and promoting international cooperation, affirming its readiness to provide comprehensive support for cooperation between Quanzhou and Lebanese companies.
For his part, Ali El Abdallah thanked the Council for the warm reception and hospitality and presented an overview of Lebanon’s business environment and the journey and development of the Lebanese Chinese Business Association, noting that since its establishment, it has focused on enhancing bilateral economic cooperation. He expressed hope for establishing a long-term, stable cooperative relationship with the Quanzhou Council and leveraging the Belt and Road Initiative to promote multi-level and multi-sector cooperation that achieves mutual benefit and shared prosperity.
Toward Strategic Partnerships
It is worth noting that this extensive visit succeeded at all its stages, not only in reaffirming the depth and strength of existing Lebanese–Chinese relations, but also in translating this depth into concrete action plans and preliminary agreements touching the core of the economy, industry, and trade.
Whether through allocating Lebanese pavilions at the Canton Fair, opening direct channels with influential local Chinese trade councils such as the Quanzhou Council, or planning high-level reciprocal visits with the China Chamber of International Commerce, all indicators point to Lebanese–Chinese economic relations entering a new phase of maturity and growth.
This visit represents a major practical step toward strengthening Lebanon’s position as a gateway for economic engagement with China in the Middle East, and as a bridge for the desired industrial, investment, and tourism exchange.
