Visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing on Tuesday attended the first ministerial meeting of the Sino-Arab Cooperation Forum.

Addressing the opening ceremony of the forum, Li said the Arab world was an important force in the international arena, and China and Arab countries enjoyed a time-honored friendship.
 
"Similar histories, common objectives and wide-ranging shared interests have enabled the two sides to strengthen cooperation," he said.

Recalling Chinese President Hu Jintao's visit to the Arab League(AL) headquarters in January 2004, Li said during Hu's trip, the two sides announced the establishment of the forum, and such a forum was the continuation of traditional friendship between China and the Arab world and an important move to promote bilateral ties under new circumstances.

He expressed belief the establishment of the forum would be conducive to expanding bilateral cooperations in a variety of areas.

"China has put forward four proposals. First, adhering to mutual respect, treating each other on an equal footing and sincere cooperation on the political front. Second, promoting economic and trade ties through cooperation in the areas of investment, trade, contracted projects, labor service, energy, transportation, telecommunications, agriculture, environmental protection and information. Third, expanding cultural exchanges. Finally, carrying out personnel training courses," he said.

"No matter how the international situation changes, China has always been the sincere friend of the Arab world," he stressed.

"I believe that the forum, through joint efforts, will help promote bilateral cooperation and benefit both sides," he said.

Arab foreign ministers who attended the forum shared the same view that the formal inauguration of the forum was a big event in the history of the Arab ties with China.

During the forum, they raised various proposals on how to promote Sino-Arab friendship and cooperation as well as render the forum a success.

Following the forum, Li and AL chief Amr Moussa signed a declaration and an action plan for the forum.

Li, who arrived here Sunday evening for a three-day visit to Egypt, the last leg of his current Mideast tour, which has taken him to Saudi Arabia, Yemen and Oman.

(Xinhua News Agency September 15, 2004)