Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang Photo:fmprc.gov.cn

 
China firmly supports the Arab people's independence in exploring their own development paths, and hopes that the Arab League (AL) will play a greater role in promoting peace and stability in the Middle East, visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang said while meeting with AL Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul-Gheit on Sunday local time. 

The just-concluded China-Arab summit is a milestone for both sides that set the direction to jointly build a China-Arab community with a shared future in the new era, and China will accelerate the eight major initiatives on China-Arab practical cooperation, Qin said. 

Both being developing economies, China and Arab states share a wide range of common interests, China appreciates the Arab side adhering to the one-China principle and supporting China's legitimate claims. We also firmly support the Arab countries' unity and cooperation in resolving regional security issues, support the Arab people's independent exploration of their own development paths, and support AL playing a greater role in promoting peace and stability in the Middle East, the Chinese minister said.

For his part, Gheit expressed his appreciation for China's strong and efficient implementation of the summit consensus into action. China and Arab states share a common language in many fields such as strengthening cultural exchanges, opposing external interference and upholding fairness and justice. 

The AL appreciates China's longstanding commitment to international justice and support for the development of Arab countries and the unity of the League, Gheit noted. 

The AL looks forward to further deepening cooperation with China in various fields and promoting the peaceful development in the region. It also welcomes more Chinese nationals to visit Egypt and Arab countries for tourism, economic and trade exchanges.

Qin on Sunday also met with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi shortly after their meeting last month in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. 

The friendship between Egypt and China has been cemented by history and is unbreakable, Sisi said. 

Egypt will continue to adhere to the one-China principle and firmly oppose interference in China's internal affairs by external forces. The achievements in jointly developing the Belt & Road Initiatives have been fruitful, and Egypt welcomes more Chinese enterprises investing in there, the president noted. 

With the adjustment of China's COVID policy, the Egyptian people warmly welcome their Chinese friends for visits, Sisi said. 

Qin said a deep friendship between two peoples has been forged in the pursuit of development, the promotion of peace and the maintenance of justice. The two heads of state have maintained a high level of mutual trust and close contact, which has given strong impetus to the China-Egypt comprehensive strategic partnership.

China also supports Egypt to follow a development path that is in line with its own conditions and safeguards national sovereignty, security and development interests, and will work closely on key projects. 

China appreciates and supports Egypt's active role in promoting peace and stability in the Middle East, and is willing to work together to promote long-term regional stability and an early and just settlement of the Palestinian issue, Qin noted. 

Qin Gang on Monday concluded his first foreign visit to Africa as China's Foreign Minister, after visiting Ethiopia, Gabon, Angola, Benin, Egypt, and the League of Arab States Headquarters upon invitation.

This also marks the 33rd consecutive year that Africa has been the destination of Chinese foreign ministers' annual first overseas trip, which experts hailed as reflecting the great importance China attaches to the traditional friendship and development of relations with Africa.

Global Times