I can say that the friendship between China and the Arabic countries is based upon a solid foundation and we see a bright future for further cooperation. "China will always be the sincere friend of the Arabic countries whatever the international situation is," said President Hu Jintao while visiting the headquarters of the Arab League in January 2004.

Ladies and gentlemen, my friends:

I noticed from reports in the Arabic media that China fever and Chinese fever have become hot topics in the fields of politics, commerce and academics. Since Arabic friends are paying so much attention to China's development, I'd like to take this opportunity to briefly introduce China's economic and social development.

China's economy and society have made remarkable progress since the opening up and reform policy was implemented in 1978. The Chinese economy has maintained a consecutive 10.7 percent growth rate for 30 years from 1978 to 2007. Its GDP has increased from US$147.3 billion to more than US$3000 billion. China's economic aggregate now ranks fourth in the world. In these 30 years, China has historically provided 1.3 billion people who are currently striving for a relatively comfortable life with adequate food and clothing and alleviated 200 million people from poverty. This is a highly significant contribution that China has made to the whole world.

China has now become the world's 3rd largest trader and China's economy has been closely connected to the global economy. China's volume of foreign trade accounts for 6 percent of the volume of the world's international trade and China's GDP accounts for only 4 percent of the world's growth, but their contribution rate to the world is 12 percent and 10 percent respectively. China's economic development is playing a more and more important role in the world's economic development. In fact, China has become an important engine of the world's economy.

China is now experiencing it most comprehensive development and reform and in truth China is still the largest developing country in the world. But China's economic and social development is facing many contradictions and new problems. As we said before - China is currently in it's primary stage of socialism and will remain in this stage for a long time. This is the biggest state of affairs in China. We still need the efforts of many more generations in order to achieve our goal of modernization.

The Chinese government has recently formulated some important strategic concepts: scientific outlook on development, building a harmonious socialist society, pursuit of peace and development, building a harmonious world with other countries. Under the guide of these concepts, China will surely continue developing soundly and rapidly. China's sustainable development, prosperity and stabilization will bring more and more important chances for enhanced cooperation between China and the Arabic countries.