The “Islamic Cultural Exception” of GCC Countries

Abstract

Abstract: The “Cultural exception” policy formulated by a country is to protect its culture not to be invaded by others. GCC is one of the most important economies in the Middle East, and the “Islamic cultural exception” is the principled position which the GCC countries adhere to in the WTO or FTA negotiations. In 20 years, the FTA negotiations between the EU and the GCC countries have been unsuccessful, and in 10 years the ones between the US and the GCC have experienced the same result. In the WTO negotiations, the GCC countries can make some concessions and cooperate actively. The FTA negotiations between China and GCC have also been carried out for 10 years. At the beginning of this year, the departments of Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and senior officials have made unrelenting diplomatic efforts to promote the resumption of the FTA negotiations with the GCC. Combined with China’s “One Belt and One Road” strategy, China had better launch a more flexible policy of economic and trade cooperation to cope with the GCC countries’ “Islamic cultural exception”. The “One Belt and One Road” strategy has special significance to China’s economic development in the future.