China is ready to establish an effective working mechanism with the Arab side to accelerate cooperation projects, implement the outcomes of the first China-Arab States Summit, and strive for early harvest, Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang said on Sunday.

He made the remarks at a joint press conference with Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit after their meeting.

Qin called for jointly practicing the spirits of the Riyadh Declaration. The Declaration emphasizes the maintenance of the international order based on international law and multilateralism, and the two sides should jointly uphold the spirits of the declaration, safeguard international fairness and justice, and protect the common interests of developing countries, he said.

Noting that the Outline of the Comprehensive Cooperation Plan Between China and Arab States covers eight major cooperation initiatives in areas including development support, food security, public health, green innovation, energy security, inter-civilizational dialogue, youth development, and security and stability, Qin said China is ready to implement the above cooperation initiatives.

Both sides should focus on economic development, maintain regional peace, strengthen exchanges among civilizations, and build a China-Arab community with a shared future, he added. 

(Cover: Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang (L) and Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul-Gheit hold a press conference at the league's headquarters in Cairo, Egypt, January 15, 2023. /CFP)