Roundup: Chinese FM, Arab counterparts discuss cooperation, ties

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held separate meetings Wednesday with his counterparts from Algeria, Comoros, Lebanon and Yemen to exchange views on ways to further promote ties between China and the Arab world.

Wang and the Arab ministers are in the Qatari capital to attend the 7th Ministerial Meeting of China-Arab Cooperation Forum, which is scheduled to open on Thursday.

China is ready to work with Algeria to further develop its relations with the Arab world and with Africa, Wang said during a meeting with Abdelkader Messahel, the Algerian minister of Maghreb affairs, African Union and the Arab League.

Algeria, as a major African country and an important member of the Arab League, commands unique influence in regional and international affairs, Wang said, adding that Algeria is at a crucial stage in its development and China stands ready to serve as its most reliable partner in its efforts to diversify the economy.

Messahel, for his part, said Algeria hopes to expand its role as the gateway to Africa and wants to further cooperate with China in the areas of infrastructure and nuclear energy, among others.

Wang also briefed Messahel on the historical facts about, and China's principled position on, the South China Sea issue.

Messahel said Algeria fully understands and supports China's position on the issue, and supports the settlement of relevant disputes through direct dialogue.

When meeting with his Comoran counterpart, Abdoulkarim Mohamed, Wang hailed the development of the relations between China and Comoros, an island country in the Western Indian Ocean, since the two countries forged diplomatic relations in 1975.

Wang said China is ready to work with Comoros to implement the consensus reached by Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Comoran counterpart, Ikililou Dhoinine, at their meeting last December in Johannesburg during the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation to cooperate in such areas as infrastructure, health, energy, the marine economy and fisheries.

Mohamed thanked China for its sincere assistance to Comoros.

He said that Comoros is the first African country to adopt Chinese digital television standards and that artemisinin, a Chinese-developed drug based on traditional Chinese medicine, has played an important role in eradicating malaria in the country.

He said Comoros will continue to steadfastly support China on issues concerning its sovereignty.

During his meeting with his Lebanese counterpart, Joubran Bassil, Wang welcomed Lebanon's participation in the Belt and Road Initiative, which was announced in 2013 by Chinese President Xi.

Comprising the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, the initiative is aimed at building a trade and infrastructure network connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along the ancient Silk Road.

Wang said China and Lebanon should continue to support each other on issues concerning their core interests and increase governmental contact.

He said China will continue to take an active part in the UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon, and thanked Lebanon for its efforts in protecting the safety and security of Chinese entities and personnel.

Bassil said Lebanon wants to play an active role in the Belt and Road Initiative and expressed support for China's position on the South China Sea.

Lebanon will enhance communication with China on international and regional affairs, he added.

When meeting with Yemeni Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Abdulmalik al-Mekhlafi, Wang thanked Mekhlafi for attending the Doha meeting when a new round of peace talks on Yemen is under way.

This was an indication of the importance the Yemeni government attaches to its relations with China and to Arab-China cooperation, Wang noted.

Mekhlafi briefed Wang on the situation in Yemen and the ongoing UN-sponsored peace talks in Kuwait.

Wang said China will support Yemen's political process and hoped that all parties involved in the Yemeni conflict can maintain their peace talks and restore stability in the country as soon as possible.

Mekhlafi thanked China for its contributions to Yemen's economic development and expressed support for China's just position on the South China Sea issue. Endi