Secretary General of the Arab League (AL) Amr Moussa on Monday termed the relations between Arab countries and China as "strategic."
"The friendship between Arab countries and China is very sincere and deep," Moussa said during his meeting in Cairo with Chinese Ambassador to Egypt Liu Xiaoming.
China, as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, plays an important role in the Asian and international affairs, the AL chief said.
He spoke highly of China's firm position on supporting the just causes of the Arab and Palestinian peoples.
Moussa stressed that the AL paid great attention to the development of the strategic ties with China, pointing out that the two sides cherished good relations and consultations over a long period of time and supported each other on major regional and international issues.
He expressed the Arab League's desire to push the friendly relations with China to a higher level.
For his part, the Chinese ambassador said China has always underscored the role played by the Arab League in dealing with regional and international issues, highlighting the development of friendly relationship between China and the Arab League, as well as its member states.
He stressed that the friendly and cooperative relations between China and the Arab countries would maintain good momentum no matter how the regional and international situations change, adding that the friendly ties between the two sides are deeply-rooted.
The development of friendly cooperation between China and the Arab countries, all belong to the developing world, will not only serve the essential interests of their peoples, but also contribute to security and stability of the region and the whole world, Liu noted.
It also helps achieve the common development and prosperity of humanity, he said.
The Chinese ambassador voiced his country's desire to make joint efforts with the Arab League and its member nations to maintain and push forward the friendly ties and cooperation.
(China Daily December 4, 2001)
