| China-Arab Friendship Conference kicks off in Damascus |
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| Tuesday,October 28,2008 Posted: 19:41 BJT(41 GMT) |
| From:www.chinaview.cn Article type:Reproduced |
DAMASCUS, Oct. 28 (Xinhua) -- The second China-Arab Friendship Conference opened in the Syrian capital Damascus on Tuesday, with non-governmental organizations from both China and Arab countries to seek closer contact and cooperation during the two-day event.
The China-Arab Friendship Association delegation, headed by its Chairman Tumur Dawamat, and representatives from 20 Arab countries as well as the Arab League (AL) took part in the conference, which is aimed at consolidating the relations between Chinese and Arab peoples and strengthening the joint political, economic and social ties.
Addressing the opening ceremony, Tumur Dawamat said the Chinese government attached great importance to the traditional friendship with Arab countries, and that the bilateral cooperation has developed steadily in recent years.
The two sides have kept close political contact with increasing high-level visits and their cooperation in trade, energy, culture and education has also made great strides, he added.
The China-Arab Friendship Conference, as a non-governmental exchanges mechanism, has facilitated the mutually beneficial cooperation and further enrich the Sino-Arab ties, he said.
Mohammed Saeid AlBekheitan, assistant secretary of the Syrian Baath Arab Socialist Party, said both Arab countries and China will conduct strategic dialogue and coordination during the conference so as to push forward the bilateral friendly relations in line with the common aspiration and interests of both Arab and Chinese people.
Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi and Secretary General of the AL Amr Moussa have both sent congratulatory letters to the conference in which they voiced their hope for continuing to promote the understandings and exchanges between Chinese and Arab peoples through this conference.
According to the agenda, there will be two plenary sessions to discuss means to further boost bilateral friendly ties, a symposium between Chinese and Arab scholars and meetings between entrepreneurs of both sides.
Besides, the conference attendees will also witness various cultural exchanges activities, including a photo exhibition showing recent bilateral cooperation in various fields and a performance by China's Xinjiang Mukam Art Performing Troupe.
Co-sponsored by the China-Arab Friendship Association and the AL, the conference is held in accordance with the action plan of the China-Arab Cooperation Forum held in Bahrain this May.
The first China-Arab Friendship Conference was held in the Sudanese capital of Khartoum in 2006.
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