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Interview: Arab Chambers of Commerce head "proud" of China award

Xinhua, February 5, 2016 Adjust font size:

Honorary Chairman of General Union of the Arab Chambers Adnan Kassar said on Thursday he "feels proud and honored" for being awarded by Chinese President Xi Jinping the "Outstanding Contribution to Arabic-Sino Friendship Award."

"I have been awarded several times by China and particularly the honorary membership medal from China Council for Promotion of International Trade to mark my 50 year friendship with China, but the latest award by China's president has a special meaning for me and touched my heart," Kassar told Xinhua in an interview.

Kassar said the award is a medal of honor and great pride for him as it comes from the head of state of great country, which is one of the most influential nations worldwide both economically and politically.

He asserted "I will remain for as long as I live, so will my brother Adel who accompanied me in my long business journey since our youth, faithful to China with whom we started our business since 1953."

"China has been a great school for us that taught us the art of commerce and negotiations, as the importance of the balance of mutual benefits and trust building and long-term relations are ensured," he said.

Speaking of Xi's speech at the headquarters of the Arab League in Cairo during his visit earlier last month to the region, Kassar said "China has always a special view to the Arab World with which it enjoys more than excellent political and economic relations that go beyond the traditional diplomatic and international trading relations, as they were marked with friendship and sincerity trough all its path on all levels."

He said the speech was very "promising and hopeful as it embodies a genuine desire from his part to expand the prospects for economic cooperation with the Arab countries as it shows the depth of the historical relations of China and political positions in support of Arab causes."

"We support and adopt what the president announced about his vision to develop the economic cooperation between China and the Arab World, and I am strongly convinced that the activation of the complexity of the China-Arab economies within the economic framework of the Silk Road will open the door wide to promote the growth of the two sides."

He said "I am happy that Lebanon enjoys a primary position on the new Silk Road and will resume its historical role as a major hub for this revived road." Endit