Chinese FM meets Arab League chief on practical cooperation

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with the League of Arab States Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit in Cairo, Egypt, Jan. 14, 2024. After the talks, the two sides signed a cooperation document on the establishment of a China-Arab think tank association. [Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen]

CAIRO -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with the League of Arab States Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit here on Sunday, with both sides expressing willingness to strengthen practical cooperation.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that the important consensus reached between Chinese and Arab leaders at the first China-Arab States Summit has guided the China-Arab relations into the best period in history.

Over more than a year, both sides made solid and vigorous efforts to implement the outcomes of the summit, enabled the Belt and Road cooperation to fully cover 22 countries of the Arab League, and held the first China-Arab Youth Development Forum as well as the first China-Arab exchanges on human rights, he said.

The Arab League has become the first regional organization to sign a joint statement with China aimed at further implementing the Global Civilization Initiative, Wang noted, adding that China is willing to work with the Arab side to push for new progress in China-Arab practical cooperation.

He said that this year marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum, and that over the past two decades, the forum has made important contributions to promoting the development of China-Arab relations, and has become a "prestige brand" for China-Arab collective cooperation.

Noting that the 10th ministerial conference of the forum is scheduled to be held in China this year, Wang said China is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with the Arab side to well prepare for and hold the conference, so as to open up new prospects and inject new impetus into China-Arab relations.

Gheit, for his part, said that the first China-Arab States Summit is of great significance and has gathered positive responses.

The Arab side will continue to implement the outcomes of the summit and the important consensus reached between Chinese and Arab leaders, and take the new ministerial conference as an opportunity to deepen cooperation in various fields, he said.

The Arab League, he said, firmly adheres to the one-China principle and "one country, two systems," opposes using double standards on issues related to human rights and Xinjiang, and stands against interference in China's internal affairs.

"We deeply appreciate China for upholding justice on the Palestinian question, and for its important contributions to ceasefire, stop of violence, de-escalation and the protection of civilians. We believe that China will continue to play an indispensable role," Gheit noted.

Wang said that China and the Arab League are true friends and good partners, and that the Chinese side appreciates the fact that the Arab League has always provided firm support on issues concerning to China's core interests and major concerns.

China will continuously support Arab countries in becoming united for self-improvement and maintaining strategic independence, he said.

The world has entered a new period of turbulence and transformation, and nothing can stop the trend of developing countries to strengthen unity and cooperation, speed up development and revitalization, and be resolute in becoming the master of their own future and destiny, Wang said.

China supports the Arab League in playing a greater role in regional and world peace and stability, and is willing to work with the Arab side to deepen and substantiate the building of a China-Arab community with a shared future and make new contributions to the development and progress of mankind.

After the talks, the two sides signed a cooperation document on the establishment of a China-Arab think tank association and issued a joint statement on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with the League of Arab States Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit in Cairo, Egypt, Jan. 14, 2024. [Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen]