Chinese FM pledges constructive role in addressing Mideast issues

DOHA, May 11, 2016 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (R) meets with Arab League Secretary-General Nabil al-Araby before the seventh ministerial conference of the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum in Doha, capital of Qatar, May 11, 2016. (Xinhua/Meng Tao)

DOHA, May 11 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Wednesday that China will continue working with the Arab League (AL) and countries in the Middle East to play a constructive role in advancing political solutions to hot issues in the region.

At a meeting with AL Secretary-General Nabil al-Araby, Wang said China does not pursue self-serving interests in the Middle East and will continue to uphold an objective and just stance on Middle East issues.

Wang, who was meeting al-Araby on the eve of the Seventh Ministerial Meeting of the China-Arab Cooperation Forum in the Qatari capital, said the ministerial meeting will achieve positive results in promoting cooperation between China and Arab countries.

The Chinese top diplomat recalled Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to AL headquarters early this year and reiterated the call for joint Chinese and Arab efforts to build the Belt and Road Initiative.

China stands ready to become the most dependable and ideal partner in Arab countries' industrialization efforts through cooperation on infrastructure and industrial production capacity, opening up a new future in China-Arab relations, Wang said.

Araby, for his part, praised the historic significance of the Chinese president's visit to the Arab League, saying it signifies the excellence and depth of the Arab-China relationship.

He said China is the only major power that has all along supported the just causes of the Arab nation and has provided valuable assistance to the Arabs at all crucial moments, in addition to its selfless aid to Arab development.

Araby said all Arab countries hope to benefit from China's experience in its development and want to further strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation with China, especially in advancing collaboration in the Road and Belt Initiative.