Addressing the opening ceremony of the Sino-Arab Cooperation
Forum's first ministerial meeting in Cairo on Tuesday, Foreign
Minister Li
Zhaoxing said that the Arab world is an important force in the
international arena, and that China and Arab countries enjoy a
time-honored friendship.
"Similar histories, common objectives and wide-ranging shared
interests have enabled the two sides to strengthen cooperation," he
said. "No matter how the international situation changes, China has
always been the sincere friend of the Arab world."
The Sino-Arab Cooperation Forum was formally established during
President Hu
Jintao's visit to the League of Arab States headquarters in
January 2004. Hu noted at the time that the formation of the forum
was a continuation of the traditional friendship between China and
the Arab world and an important move to promote bilateral ties
under new circumstances.
Li stated that the establishment of the forum would be conducive
to expanding mutually beneficial cooperation in a variety of
areas.
"China has submitted four proposals. First, maintaining mutual
respect, equitable treatment and sincere cooperation on the
political front. Second, promoting economic and trade ties through
cooperation in investment, trade, contracted projects, labor
service, energy, transportation, telecommunications, agriculture,
environmental protection and information. Third, expanding cultural
exchanges. Finally, conducting personnel training," he said.
Arab foreign ministers attending the meeting agreed that the
formal inauguration of the forum was a significant event in the
history of Arab ties with China. They submitted a variety of
proposals on promoting Sino-Arab friendship and cooperation.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Li and Arab League Secretary
General Amre Moussa signed a declaration and an action plan for the
forum.
Li arrived in Cairo on Sunday evening for a three-day visit to
Egypt, the last leg of a Middle East tour that has taken him to
Saudi Arabia, Yemen and Oman.
(Xinhua News Agency September 15, 2004)