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Chinese foundation launches Middle East peace forum in Cairo

Xinhua, May 16, 2016 Adjust font size:

China's Middle East Foundation for Peace and Development (MEFPD) launched here Sunday the Middle East Peace Forum to promote peacemaking efforts in the turmoil-stricken region.

The Chinese peacemaking institution launched the forum in cooperation with the China-Arab Exchange Association to enhance methods of resolving Middle East issues and pushing for the development in the region.

Qin Yong, secretary-general of MEFPD, said the pro-peace forum has been established to work on collecting the efforts of peace lovers in the Middle East to face regional political issues and spread peace in the region.

"Since its establishment in December 2015, the foundation directed all its efforts to support peace, and among its activities was initially the establishment of schools in the refugees area in Jordan," Qin said in his speech during the opening of the forum, noting his foundation will agree with the Chinese government to expand in building more schools throughout the Middle East.

Qin added that the Middle East Peace Forum is launched as a step forward to realize Chinese President Xi Jinping's recommendation at the Arab League in Cairo during his visit to Egypt in January 2016, when he said, "We should be builders of peace, promoters of development... in the Middle East."

In 2013, President Xi proposed the Belt and Road Initiative, which comprises the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, with the aim to build a trade and infrastructure network reconnecting Asia with Europe and Africa along the ancient Silk Road.

Qi Qianjin, Minister Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Cairo, said that peace and development are interrelated and strongly sought by all nations in the world, stressing that the Belt and Road Initiative can greatly contribute to the development in the region.

"The Belt and Road Initiative developed well and bore noticeable fruits to attract more countries to join, as more than 30 states so far have signed memorandums of understanding to join the initiative, including Egypt," Qi said. Endit