China and Arab states open a new chapter in ties

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02:26

China and the Arab states have signed three important documents, consolidating traditional friendship and advancing cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi introduced the achievement at a press conference after the conclusion of the eighth ministerial meeting of the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum (CASCF) on Tuesday.

The three documents, namely, the Beijing Declaration, the 2018-2020 Action Plan, and the Declaration on Belt and Road Cooperation, covered collaboration in nearly 20 areas, such as trade and investment, industry, energy and culture.

The documents also laid out major ideas for future cooperation between the two sides under the BRI.

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi shakes hands with Secretary-General of the Arab League Ahmed Aboul-Gheit after signing documents of cooperation in Beijing, China on July 10, 2018. /CGTN Photo

Apart from that, over 100 consensuses regarding strengthened collaboration have been reached between China and its Arab partners.

The Arab attendees are also confident in the future of a closer China-Arab relationship.

"The Middle East countries have a very good strategic location, which connects three continents. And the area of the Middle East is big. China and the Arab countries have a close relationship, and we expect to be a strong partner of China, to push forward the Belt and Road Initiative, and reach common prosperity and development," said Adel Bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir, Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia.

Meanwhile, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, the secretary-general of the Arab League, confirmed the significance of the ministerial meeting of the CASCF.

"The attendance of the conference is unprecedented. All 21 Arab foreign ministers have attended the meeting. This shows that all Arab countries believe that they should strengthen ties with China."

Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit, answers a question at a press conference during the 8th ministerial meeting of China-Arab States Cooperation Forum at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China on July 10, 2018. /VCG Photo

Also at the press conference, Wang praised this meeting as "historic," saying Chinese President Xi Jinping's announcement of establishing a "future-oriented strategic partnership of comprehensive cooperation and common development" between China and Arab states has turned a new page for the relationship between the two sides.

The Chinese state councilor also said the meeting promoted peace, as President Xi talked about China's willingness to be the guardian of peace and stability in the Middle East with its Arab partners at the opening ceremony of the meeting.

Wang said Xi's proposals were positively received and echoed by the Arab states.

Wang also promised that China will continue to uphold Arab people's legitimate rights and push for the fair and just solution of the Palestinian issue.

(CGTN's Zhao Yunfei and Wang Peng also contributed to the article)