RABAT, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- The 8th conference on China-Arab relations and dialogue between Chinese and Arab civilizations for the year 2019, kicked off on Tuesday in Rabat.

Many academics, university professors, experts and specialists from China and Arab world as well as diplomats participate in this two-day conference.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, China's Special Envoy for Middle East Affairs, Zhai Jun, hailed the development of Sino-Arab relations that become a model to follow in strengthening cultural dialogue.

He also praised the achievements made in the joint building of the Belt and Road Initiative and the forum on Sino-Arab cooperation.

Jun underlined the need to support dialogue between the Arab world and China and to join efforts in several areas, including fighting against terrorism and strengthening the transfer of expertise in governance and administrative management.

The conference will discuss many topics including tangible and intangible assets in the Arab-Chinese space, multiculturalism in the management of the reality of cultural diversity, and the role of traditional means of communication and the fight against extremism.