8th China-Arab States Ministerial Meeting comes at the right time
Updated 12:29, 09-Jul-2018
By Zhao Yunfei, Bao Hongwei
["china"]
00:50
The eighth Ministerial Meeting of the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum will be held in Beijing next Tuesday, with the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs saying it comes at the right time.
"At present, China has entered a new era of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and Arab states are also in a key period of transformation. The same demand for development and rejuvenation calls for the two sides to comply with the historical trend to strengthen strategic communication, deepen practical cooperation and promote mutual benefits," said Chen Xiaodong, Chinese assistant foreign minister.
Chen said ministers from China and the Arab countries will hold comprehensive discussions on advancing the Belt and Road Initiative, and the joint building of a new type of international relations.
China announced on Thursday that Chinese President Xi Jinping will deliver a speech at the opening ceremony of the forum's ministerial meeting.
Chen said the president's presence will further strengthen high-level exchanges between China and Arab nations.