"From the Chinese side, we will invest $700 million, and this would include real estate in a prime location." Nuraldin is also a member of China-Arab Business Council.

He said the investment in the friendship city project can come either from either business or government.

"The project is expected to take five years to complete and once complete it is sure to pay off rich dividends to the investors," he said.

The scale of business activities between China and GCC states would make such a project even more feasible.

"We know for sure that in the years to come there will be more and more investment from the GCC countries in China," he said. "There will be a constant flow of our brothers from the Arab world to China. The setting up of this China-Arab Friendship City should cement our ties into a firm bond."

According to Nuraldin, the proposed city would include China-Arab Cultural Exchange Center, China Industrial Plaza, International Trade and Products Displaying and Exchange Center, International Oil and Gas Products and Equipment Center, five-star hotels, conference rooms, health and recreational facilities and halal food facilities all in one location.

"We believe this city will be the first choice of Arabs when in China, either on business or on tourism trips," he said.

Nuraldin said he was among the first few businessmen to have lobbied his country's government to increase trade ties with the Arab world.

"I wrote to our prime minister in 1994 explaining to them the need for establishing people-to-people and business-to-business relationships with Gulf Cooperation Council states."

The reasons were many.

"The GCC states had oil and gas, and we had technology and products of all kinds. It was and still is a win-win partnership. Both sides have nothing to lose but will gain tremendously."

He said the two sides are not well acquainted.

"We have had no business exchanges, no conferences. Things, however, changed for the better after 2005. Chinese-Arab contacts increased manifold, and there is greater interaction between our leaders and businessmen."

He said the real change in perceptions between the Chinese and Arabs happened after President Hu Jintao's visit on Jan. 30, 2004, to the Arab League headquarters in Egypt. "That visit ushered in a new chapter in relationship between China and the Arab world."

Since 2004 total trade between China and Arab countries reached $36.7 billion, and it is now 10 times more than what it was 10 years ago.

He called for increased cultural exchanges - especially between the young people. "We need to send our students to each others' countries to establish long-term contacts. This is the reason I am sending my son to Bahrain to study business management. They are the future, and they should it."