Beirut, Lebanon - Recent

The Lebanese Chinese Business Association says the renewed attacks by Israel on Lebanon have disrupted trade, especially with the country's number one trading partner, China.

The Lebanese Chinese Business Association is an organization that fosters trade and investment ties between China and Lebanon. Established in 2015, it has worked on promoting and improving the business climate for Chinese companies in Lebanon.

China exports electronics, electric appliances, shoes, clothes, office and home furniture, and more, while Lebanon exports olive oil, alcohol, jewelery, haute couture and mixed nuts, according to president of the association Ali Al Abdullah.

In a recent interview with CGTN, Abdullah said the two countries' trade was 2.8 to 3 billion U.S. dollars a year on average. But now it is decreasing because of the war and his organization has ceased operations since the start of the recent conflict.

Regarding a popular opinion that Israel's pager explosion attacks have opened the door for Chinese businesses and technology to flourish in Lebanon and Arab countries, Abdullah pointed out that the West has lost credibility, and many Western companies will suffer major losses.

Abdullah also spoke of the aid efforts of the Chinese embassy, which has been active since the start of the instabilities in Lebanon.

Shotlist:
Beirut, Lebanon - Recent:
1. Aerial shots of city view, smoke rising;
2. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Ali Al Abdullah, president, Lebanese Chinese Business Association (partially overlaid with shots 3-4):
"We provide Chinese companies with consultation and advice on how to operate within the political situation in Lebanon. We help them to work in a safe environment. Our role as an association is to provide all the required information to the Chinese companies about the country, the markets and how to do business in Lebanon. Most Chinese have been evacuated from Lebanon but some companies are still here and this gives us encouragement that they will stick with us.";
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FILE: Beirut, Lebanon - 2015
3. Various of group photos taken from Lebanese Chinese Business Association's establishment events;
Beirut, Lebanon - Recent
4. Chinese, Lebanese flags pin on Abdullah's jacket;
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Beirut, Lebanon - Sept 17, 2024
5. Ambulances moving through traffic;
Beirut, Lebanon - Sept 18, 2024
6. Various of people, traffic outside the American University of Beirut Medical Center;
Beirut, Lebanon - Recent
7. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Ali Al Abdullah, president, Lebanese Chinese Business Association (partially overlaid with shot 8):
"What happened is a lesson for Lebanon and the world. The pagers explosions in Lebanon has led us and many countries to turn East for technology. Turkey suspended its purchase of technology from Israel and the West and will now manufacture its own. Lebanon and many other countries will reduce purchases from the west and will buy more technology, including mobile phones, from Chinese companies.";
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Beirut, Lebanon - Sept 18, 2024
8. Front entrance of The American University of Beirut Medical Center;
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Beirut, Lebanon - Recent
9. Aerial shot of city view;
10. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Ali Al Abdullah, president, Lebanese Chinese Business Association (partially overlaid with shot 11):
"The Chinese embassy and the Chinese ambassador have quickly moved to support Lebanon. 48 hours after the escalation started, China offered aid to the Lebanon Ministry of Social Affairs to help the displaced. It was the first country to do so and was very much commended. The Chinese embassy contacts us regularly and has since sent more humanitarian support for the displaced Lebanese.";
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11. Smoke rising;
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FILE: Beirut, Lebanon - 2024
12. National flag of Lebanon.

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