Chinese President Xi Jinping says China and Arab states have agreed to establish a strategic partnership. He said this at the opening ceremony of the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum in Beijing. President Xi said such a partnership will highlight cooperation and mutual development. CGTN's Wu Guoxiu tells us more.

Four years ago, President Xi invited Arab states to join the Belt and Road construction. And this time, progress is visible, as Arab states as a whole will construct the Belt & Road together.

XI JINPING CHINESE PRESIDENT "Geographically centered in the routes of the Belt and Road Initiative, Arab countries are the natural partners in building the Iniative along with China. China's Arab Policy Paper marks that the Initiative has become a major part of the China-Arab relations. At the ministerial meeting, China and Arab countries will sign the Joint Declaration of Action between China and Arab States on Bulding the Belt and Road Initiative."

In his new proposals, he says connectivity is always the priority. China would be actively involved in land and sea connectivity projects in the Arab region.

XI JINPING CHINESE PRESIDENT "China welcomes opportunities to participate in the development of ports and the construction of railway networks in Arab states, as well as supports the efforts of Arab states in building a logistics network connecting central Asia with east Africa and the Indian Ocean with the Mediterranean. We need to work together to build a maritime cooperation center to boost the ocean industry, and enhance our ability to provide ocean-related public services."

While consolidating traditional oil and gas industries, China and the Arab world will focus more on developing clean energy, including nuclear power. This is to make their energy cooperation more sustainable. China will also set up a bank union between China and Arab countries to support construction of joint industrial parks. President Xi also announced loans to Arab countries for reconstruction, and industrial projects.