LOC13:37
10:37 GMT
TOKYO, Jan 24 (KUNA) -- China's top legislator Zhang Dejiang and Arab Parliament Speaker Meshal Faham Al-Sulami agreed Wednesday to promote in-depth development of Sino-Arab strategic cooperative relationship, Chinese official news agency Xinhua reported.
"The visit of the speaker is the first formal exchange between China's National People's Congress and the Arab Parliament, which is of great significance to enriching the Sino-Arab relations," Zhang, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, was quoted as telling Al-Sulami.
He lauded the traditional friendship between China and the Arab countries, featuring political mutual respect, mutually beneficial cooperation, cultural exchanges and mutual support on issues concerning each other's core interests.
Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed joint implementation of the Belt and Road initiative with the Arab countries during his visit to the Arab League headquarters in 2016, which opened a new chapter in Sino-Arab relations, said Zhang.
"China supports the just cause of restoring the legitimate national rights of the Palestinian people, understands the Arab countries' concern about the status of Jerusalem and supports all efforts by the Arab countries to promote the peaceful settlement of the Palestinian issue," he said.
For his part, Al-Sulami said the Arab nations appreciate China's important role in promoting the Middle East peace process and agree with the four-point proposal on the Palestine issue made by China.
"The Arab Parliament is willing to enhance friendly exchanges with China's National People's Congress and actively push forward in-depth development of China-Arab cooperation in politics, economy and culture," he said. (end)
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