The Sino-Arab cooperation forum is of milestone significance, Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing said in Cairo Friday at a joint press conference with Secretary-General of the League of Arab States Amr Mahmoud Moussa.  

Li, who is accompanying Chinese President Hu on a state visit to Egypt, said the establishment of the forum is aimed at consolidating and developing the two sides' cooperation in politics, trade, science, culture, education and health care.

He said President Hu has put forward four principles for developing a new type of partnership between China and Arab countries.

The four principles are to promote political relations on the basis of mutual respect, to forge closer trade and economic links so as to achieve common development, to expand cultural exchanges so as to draw upon each other's experience, and to strengthen cooperation in international affairs with the aim of safeguarding world peace and promoting common development.

The minister said both China and Arab states are developing nations, which means they share a lot of common interests and can cooperate closely with each other on the basis of mutual benefit. The two sides can further strengthen their cooperation in the fields of science, culture and education.

Whatever changes may occur in the international situation, the Chinese people and the Arabian people will remain sincere friends for ever, Li said. He added that the Chinese government has always firmly supported the just cause of the Palestinian and the Arabian people.

China hopes to see progress achieved in the Middle East peace process and is resolutely opposed to any statements and moves that undermine the peace process and harm peace and development in this region, he added.

He also expressed profound sympathy with the Iraqi people for many years of sufferings.

The minister said China hoped the situations in Iraq could be improved as soon as possible and the Iraqi people could realize the goal of rebuilding their homes.

Moussa said the Arab League was pleased with the visit of President Hu and both sides showed a determination to further develop their relations.

The forum would serve as a mechanism in pushing forward the development of the friendly ties between China and Arab states, he added.

(Xinhua News Agency January 31, 2004)