China, Arab League to deepen ties

MONTREUX, Switzerland - Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Secretary-General of the League of Arab States (LAS) Nabil Elaraby on Thursday agreed to enhance communication and cooperation.

"The year 2014 is significant for China and Arabic countries, as the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum (CASCF) celebrates its 10th birthday and the Sixth Ministerial Meeting is slated to be held in China," said Wang, who is currently in the Swiss city for the international conference on Syria.

"It will be key to chart the roadmap for the forum's future development," he noted. "Both sides should enhance communication and coordination, so as to facilitate the meeting and boost the China-Arab relationship and the development of CASCF."

Elaraby told Wang that China is a nation that Arab states could deeply trust, and the CASCF, appreciated by all Arabic countries, is the most successful forum founded by LAS. He vowed to strengthen cooperation with China in order to achieve the goals of the Sixth Ministerial Meeting.

Addressing the Geneva II talks, Wang praised the efforts from all sides that made the meeting possible. "The international community has reached consensus but mutual antagonism between the Syrian government and its opposition is very strong, and there are many hurdles ahead," he said.

He talked separately with representatives from the Syrian government and the Syrian National Coalition, the country's main opposition bloc yesterday, encouraging them to talk and make reconciliation. "LAS could play a more active and important role in this respect," he said.

"Ever since the Syria crisis broke out, China has, several times, provided humanitarian aid to the Syrian people including refugees," he said. "And we are going to do more."

Elaraby said that despite the difficulties in finding a resolution for Syria, peace talks should be carried on and dialogue continued. At the same time, the international community should help relieve the humanitarian disaster in the tumultuous country and provide possible aid, he added.