The China-Arab Cooperation Forum will be officially kicked off at its upcoming first ministerial meeting in Cairo, the capital of Egypt, on Tuesday, said Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing on his departure for the meeting.

Li told Xinhua in an exclusive interview that at the meeting, he will sign two documents on the forum, involving a declaration and a layout of the forum's activities.

"I will have in-depth discussions with foreign ministers from Arabian countries and the Secretary-General of Arab League on fulfilling the consensus reached by President Hu Jintao and Arabian leaders, and on developing a new type of Sino-Arabian partnership," Li said.

The forum will be officially kicked off after the signing of the declaration and the layout, follow-up activities from Hu Jintao's visit to the Arab League and Arabian countries last January, Li said.

China will strengthen dialogue and cooperation with Arabian countries and continuously explore new approaches to develop relationships based on mutual respect, equality and mutual benefits, he said.

Meanwhile, China will keep communication and collaboration on major international and regional issues, make joint efforts in maintaining world and regional peace and to boost mutual-development, he said.

China will promote economic and trade cooperation with Arabian partners, explore new approaches and methods for further cooperation, tap potential, utilize complementarity and seek mutual benefits. China will also enhance bilateral exchange in the areas of culture, technology, education, hygiene and physical education, promoting mutual-understanding and friendship between Chinese and Arabian peoples, Li said.

Chinese President Hu Jintao visited headquarters of Arab League in Cairo last January and put forward four principles on developing Sino-Arabian partnership, including the establishment of the China-Arab Cooperation Forum.

(Xinhua News Agency September 14, 2004)