国内英语新闻:China-Arab strategic ties serve fundamental interests: Premier Wen

TIANJIN, May 13 (Xinhua) -- Premier Wen Jiabao said Thursday that establishing a strategic relationship of cooperation between China and the Arab states was in the interests of all sides.

In a meeting with Secretary General of the League of Arab States Amre Moussa in north China's Tianjin, Wen said the sides would discuss establishing the relationship.

The fourth Ministerial Meeting of the China-Arab Cooperation Forum, which began Thursday, was attended by foreign ministers or representatives of China and Arab states and Amre Moussa.

Wen said the new relationship was conducive to peaceful international development.

The 4th Ministerial Conference of the China-Arab Cooperation Forum is held in China's northern port city of Tianjin, on May 13, 2010.

China and the Arab states began to describe their relationship as a "new partnership" at the forum's second ministerial meeting in 2006.

Wen said he believed more achievements would be made in the development of China-Arab ties, and the ministerial meeting would be a success.

He hailed the forum's role in advancing China-Arab relations, saying it had become an important platform for dialogue and practical cooperation.

The relationship set a good example for diverse civilizations to learn from each other, make exchanges, and seek common development, he said.

Moussa said the Arab states hoped to carry out more exchanges and cooperation with China, in the hope of reinforcing political and cultural contacts, and cementing economic and trade cooperation through the mechanism of the forum.

Moussa spoke highly of China's positive and constructive role in the Middle East issues.