BEIJING, Nov 18: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Tuesday met with Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul-Gheit in Beijing.
Wang said China firmly supports Arab countries in resisting external interference, pursuing development paths suited to their own national conditions, strengthening strategic autonomy, and taking their future and destiny into their own hands, adding that it also supports them in achieving unity and self-strengthening to jointly safeguard regional peace and stability.
He stressed that China never interferes in other countries’ internal affairs, nor does it engage in geopolitical rivalry, and the goal of China–Arab cooperation is shared development and shared prosperity, advancing modernization for all nations.
Next year marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the Arab states, the foreign minister said, adding that the second China-Arab States Summit, scheduled to be held in China, is set to become another milestone event in the history of China–Arab relations.
Wang also said China appreciates the Arab League’s commitment to a just resolution of the Palestinian issue and its consistent support for Arab countries.
Any arrangements following the Gaza conflict should uphold the fundamental principle of “Palestinians governing Palestine” and must firmly adhere to the overarching framework of the two-state solution, he said.
China will continue to uphold fairness on the international stage, steadfastly support the restoration of the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, and unwaveringly promote the restart and realization of the two-state solution, according to Wang.
Gheit said the Arab side is willing to work together with China to prepare for next year’s China-Arab States Summit and to open up broader prospects for China-Arab relations.
The Arab side appreciates China’s commitment to fairness and justice on the Palestinian issue and looks forward to China continuing to play a constructive role, Gheit said, adding that the Arab side also values China’s adherence to multilateralism and is willing to strengthen cooperation with China in multilateral arenas to jointly promote global peace and stability.