Beijing, July 11th—Liu Jianchao, Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, met here today with a delegation of political heavyweights from Arab countries led by Essam Sharaf, former Egyptian Prime Minister. 

Liu said, China and Arab countries have a profound traditional friendship, with solid political mutual trust and fruitful practical cooperation. Last year, President Xi Jinping attended the opening ceremony of the 10th Ministerial Conference of the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum and delivered a keynote speech, which charted the course for the development of China-Arab relations. Both China and Arab countries have a long history and culture. Promoting people-to-people and cultural exchanges is an important aspect of building a China-Arab community with a shared future and also the foundation for the sustainable development of China-Arab relations. China is willing to deepen inter-party exchanges with Arab countries, strengthen exchanges and mutual learning of experience in state governance and administration, and enhance personnel exchanges and practical cooperation in various fields under the frameworks of the three global initiatives and the Belt and Road Initiative, so as to better benefit the two peoples. 

Liu said, the continuous growth and development of the Global South is one of the important driving forces for the evolution of the current international landscape, which is conducive to promoting world peace, development, prosperity and progress. China and Arab countries are both important members of the Global South. China is willing to work with Arab countries to strengthen strategic coordination and jointly promote the development of a more just and reasonable global governance system. China firmly stands on the side of the just cause of Arab countries and is willing to work with Arab countries to jointly establish a vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, and play an active role in de-escalating regional conflicts and maintaining international fairness and justice. 

Sharaf and others congratulated the Chinese side on the success of the Global Civilizations Dialogue Ministerial Meeting, stating that the Global Civilization Initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping not only draws on historical strength but is also an initiative embracing the future. The Global Civilizations Dialogue Ministerial Meeting has further consolidated consensus on maintaining the diversity of human civilizations and promoting exchanges and mutual learning among various civilizations. They expressed the willingness to work with China to implement the outcomes of the meeting and continuously promote the implementation of the Global Civilization Initiative in Arab countries. Arab countries highly appreciate China's just stance on international and regional issues, especially the Palestinian issue, and thank China for its long-term support for the just cause of Palestine and its constructive role in maintaining regional peace and stability. Arab political parties and organizations cherish their friendship with the CPC and are willing to further enhance friendly exchanges, promote exchanges in areas such as youth, and deepen the friendship between the Arab and Chinese peoples.