China supports Arab states' initiatives on Palestine-Israel issue: official

The Chinese government supports the peace initiatives proposed by Arab states to resolve the Palestine-Israel issue, said Chinese State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan in Beijing Wednesday.

Tang said China stood for a solution of the Middle East issue through negotiations on the basis of relevant U.N. resolutions and the principle of land for peace.

"China will as always support the just cause of the Arab people for national legitimate rights," Tang said.

Addressing the on-going Second Ministerial Meeting of China-Arab Cooperation Forum, Tang said greater Sino-Arab coordination on major international and regional issues would help maintain peace and stability in the Middle East, the Asia Pacific region and the world.

He said the forum had become an important mechanism to enhance China-Arab dialogue and cooperation.

The Chinese government hoped to step up cooperation and promote the China-Arab partnership within the framework of the ministerial forum, he said.

Tang made four proposals, starting with further visits between state leaders, greater governmental cooperation, parliamentary and party-to-party exchanges and people-to-people contacts.

Secondly, the two sides should deepen energy dialogue and cooperation and expand cooperation in training, trade and investment.

Thirdly, the two sides should expand friendly exchanges, so as to become partners.

Finally, China and Arab countries would strengthen coordination on international affairs and work together to maintain world peace, security and stability, with deeper cooperation in non-traditional security areas.

The ministerial meeting, which opened Wednesday, attracted foreign ministers or their representatives from 22 Arab countries.

Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing co-hosted the meeting with Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates Mohammed Hussein Al Shaali, whose country holds the Arab League rotating presidency, and league Secretary General Amr Moussa.

Source: Xinhua