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)