Lebanese political and strategic analyst, retired General Elias Farhat, emphasized the important role of Confucian thought and traditional cultural values in China’s development. Farhat stated that he has studied Confucianism to better understand China’s approach to interpersonal relationships and global cooperation, and he stressed that this philosophy has significantly contributed to China’s governance and modernization efforts.
Farhat mentioned that he has visited China three times and expressed his admiration for the discipline and work ethic of the Chinese people. He also noted his participation in international Confucianism conferences held in China in 2016 and 2019, where he presented research on Arab–China relations. In addition, he wrote a book titled An Introduction to Confucianism and Chinese History to introduce Chinese culture to the Arab world, which has been well received by Arab readers.
Commenting on the Belt and Road Initiative, Farhat pointed out that the initiative is based on mutual benefit, unlike the exploitation-based modernization models of the West. He noted that China’s foreign policy is founded on peaceful principles, which enables it to build dialogues with other countries based on mutual respect and equality. He also highlighted China’s role in mediating between Saudi Arabia and Iran, calling it a major diplomatic achievement that has contributed to easing tensions in the Middle East.