"The friendship between the Chinese people and the Arab nation is sincere and China has never changed its policy towards enhancing and developing friendly and cooperative ties with the Arab countries," Tang told Moussa during the meeting.

He also said that China has attached importance to the AL's role and influence, while lauding the AL's efforts to push forward the development of the Sino-Arab ties.

The Chinese minister spoke highly of resolutions approved by the Council of the AL Foreign Ministers regarding strengthening the Sino-Arab relations and an initiative put forward by the council on forming a Sino-Arab forum.

"We believe that the prospects for Sino-Arab cooperation are broad," Tang said, expecting that relations between China and the Arab League as well as the Arab countries would be fully developed through both sides' joint efforts.

Further cooperation in global affairs

For his part, Moussa said that relations between China and the whole Arab world are good, adding that all Arab countries have paid attention to developing friendly and cooperative ties with China.

"The Arab League and China have given mutual supports and taken concerted actions in global and regional affairs," Moussa said, expressing the AL's willingness to increase consultations and coordination with China.

The AL chief expected China, as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, to play a more important role in the international affairs.

Tang arrived here Tuesday evening for a visit to Egypt, the fourth stop of his regional tour which has taken him to Lebanon, Syria and Jordan.

(People?s Daily December 27, 2001)