Landmark China-Arab ministerial meeting to reap harvest: Chinese FM, AL chief (2)

BEIJING, June 4 -- The upcoming Sixth Ministerial Conference of the China-Arab Cooperation Forum(CACF) will be a landmark and reap a good harvest, Chinese foreign minister and Arab League (AL) chief said on Wednesday.

"The ministerial meeting, which coincides with the 10th anniversary of the CACF's founding, will be a landmark in bilateral relations and produce important results," Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Secretary-general of the League of Arab States Nabil Elaraby said.

Their meeting came on the eve of the CACF's Sixth Ministerial Conference, which will open in Beijing on Thursday.

"China and Arab nations have worked together, kept close communications and made preparations productive," Wang and Elaraby were quoted as saying in a statement issued by the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

Wang said China places great importance on the AL role in promoting the solidarity between Arab countries, developing their economies and safeguarding their interests.

China will continue to support Arab countries' core concerns on issues concerning Palestine and others and back Arab countries' endeavor to explore their own paths of development, Wang said.

No matter how the international and regional situation changes, China's determination to carry on friendship with AL, its policy of deepening China-Arab strategic cooperation and its goal of working with Arab to safeguard regional peace and stability will not change, Wang said.

Elaraby hailed China as a trustworthy power, saying it is in the interests of Arab and China to properly resolve the hotspot issues in the region.

Wang and Elaraby also exchanged views on issues concerning Palestine, Libya and Syria, the statement said.

Also on Wednesday, Wang met with Moroccan foreign chief Salaheddin Mezouar, who also came to Beijing for the CACF's Sixth Ministerial Conference.

Wang appreciated the work Morocco has done as the rotating chair of AL foreign ministers' council and the co-chair of the CACF's Sixth Ministerial Conference, calling for Morocco's continued active role in promoting China-Arab collaboration.

On China-Morocco relations, Wang said China would like to encourage more Chinese businesses to invest in Morocco and play a part in Morocco's construction of high-speed railroads, highways, ports, airports and other key projects.

Wang called on Morocco to create a favorable and efficient environment for Chinese investment.

Mezouar said his country expects to work more closely with China in infrastructure, agriculture, service and culture.

Mezouar also proposed the two countries seek stronger collaboration in Africa and Europe.