Arab states welcome to work on Belt, Road

China welcomes Arab states to actively participate in jointly building the Belt and Road and looks forward to a greater role for the Arab League in promoting friendship and cooperation, Vice-President Wang Qishan said on Monday.

Wang made the remark in a meeting with SecretaryGeneral of the Arab League Ahmed Aboul-Gheit, who is in Beijing to take part in the eighth ministerial meeting of the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum.

Wang noted that President Xi Jinping has twice made important speeches to the Arab world, in 2014 and 2016, and they charted the course for development of better relations.

China’s course of development and its cultural and historic genes determine that China will always remain a positive energy to promote world peace and development, Wang said.

China and Arab states treat each other as equals politically, seek win-win outcomes in economic terms and uphold inclusiveness and mutual learning during cultural exchanges, he said.

China firmly supports Arab states in exploring a path of development that suits themselves, and achieving regional peace, stability and prosperity.

Gheit said Arab states pay great attention to China’s path of development and admire the historic achievements made by China.

Arab states stand ready to actively take part in the building of the Belt and Road and deepen pragmatic cooperation with China in various areas, he said.

While visiting the China Institute of International Studies on Monday, Gheit added that the Belt and Road Initiative “is rooted not only in economic cooperation, but in cultural ties and political understanding as well”.

The vice-president also met on Monday with Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry.

Relations between China and Egypt have seen stable development under the leadership of Xi and President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, Wang said.

China is willing to step up pragmatic cooperation in different areas with Egypt, and enable more outcomes to be achieved in the bilateral comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership in the new era, he said.

Shoukry said relations between Egypt and China have seen rapid development and fruitful outcomes under the leadership of state leaders from both sides.

Egypt will take part actively in the building of the Belt and Road, and conduct cooperation and exchanges with China in broader areas, he said.

It also will enhance coordination with China over cause of peace and development and elevate bilateral friendship to new heights, he said.