Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing said in Beijing Wednesday that China and the Arab states share extensive interests, which lays solid foundation for the development of China-Arab relations.

 

China and the Arab states have established profound friendship since the two sides started their diplomatic relations 50 years ago, Li said.

 

Li made the remarks while meeting with some delegates who are here to attend the foreign ministers' meeting of the China-Arab Cooperation Forum for Wednesday and Thursday.

 

China hopes the meeting will sum up the achievements and outline the future cooperation to promote new China-Arab partnership, said Li.

 

Li appreciated the Arab countries' support for the one-China policy.

 

The Arab delegates, including Secretary-General of the League of Arab States Amr Mahmoud Moussa, expressed their hope that the Arab countries will deepen and expand cooperation with China in such fields as politics, trade and international affairs.

 

The two sides also exchanged views on the Palestine-Israel situation, Iraq and the Iran nuclear issue.

 

(Xinhua News Agency June 1, 2006)