Visiting Chinese President Jiang Zemin delivered a speech on Chinese-Arab relationship and the development of human civilizations at the conference hall of the King Abdulaziz Public Library at the center of the capital city Riyahd.

Jiang first quoted Mohammed's famous remarks of "For people in pursuit of knowledge, even China is not too far away" to demonstrate the long time friendship between China and Arab countries.

"For a long time, the Chinese and Arab people have learned from each other and their friendly relations can be traced back to ancient times. We have been linked up by the ancient 'Silk Road', which serves as a bond of friendship," Jiang said.

Both the Chinese and Arabic nations have a long history and have created their own brilliant civilizations. China produced in its history many outstanding philosophers, thinkers, statesmen, strategists, scientists, writers and artists, and left Chinese people volumes of literature, Jiang said.

The ancient Arabs also made remarkable achievements in the areas of medicine, philosophy, literature, history, geography, mathematics and chemistry, Jiang added.

"The human society has created varied and colorful civilizations in its long process of evolution. These civilizations, with all their similarities and differences, are products of human wisdom," Jiang said.

The Chinese President pointed out that it is essential for different civilizations to conduct dialogue and exchanges on an equal basis, learn from each other, and draw on others' strength to make up for their own weaknesses. They will thus be able to bring new prosperity to human civilization while developing and enriching themselves.

Jiang noted that conflicts and disagreements are unavoidable between various nations due to their differences in historical development, social background, cultural tradition and lifestyle.

These conflicts and differences can be resolved through dialogue and exchanges on an equal footing and in the spirit of mutual respect, he added.

However, he pointed out, it is wrong to trumpet the civilization of one's own nation as superior and ignore or even despise other civilizations, make much ado about the differences between civilizations, or attempt to stir up conflicts between various civilizations, because they are detrimental to progress of world civilization and to the lofty cause of world peace and development.

China and the Arabic countries are all developing countries. Sympathizing and supporting each other in international affairs, they are a staunch force for world peace and regional stability, Jiang said.

He reaffirmed that China all along attached importance to its friendly relations and cooperation with Arabic countries and supported the just cause of the Arab people and their efforts to gain legitimate rights and interests.

Jiang said that the Arabic countries have rendered China their resolute support on the question of Taiwan and many other issues. The two sides share broad common views on human rights and a wide range of other issues. The recent years have witnessed increased political exchanges and expanded economic cooperation and trade between the two sides.

Jiang also recalled the sweeping changes in China over this century, especially the remarkable achievements it has scored over the past 50 years since New China was established in 1949.

Jiang's speech won warm applause from some 400 participants, including members of the Saudi royal family, government officials and celebrities from all walks of life.

Supervisor of the King Library Fasel Al Moamer said in his welcoming speech that Jiang's visit and his speech well demonstrate that both countries and peoples have attached importance to maintaining culture and civilization of the mankind.

Al Moamer said that all peoples of the Arab countries have held respect for the Chinese people.

The supervisor said Arabians and Chinese have many common points, adding that they are all offsprings of the ancient countries of civilization, and that they have all exerted efforts to maintain the characteristics of the nations of respective countries and that they have all made important contributions to the development of civilization of the mankind.