Former Palestinian Ambassador to China Moustapha Saphariny said on Thursday the deadly July 5 riot in Urumqi was politically driven to arouse conflict among China, Araband Islamic countries.

As a developing country, China had maintained solid relations with Arab and Islamic countries, he said.

"China always supports the righteous actions of Arabic people and maintains the rights of Arab countries on the world stage."

"I've been living in China for more than 40 years. As far as I know, Muslims in China enjoy many benefits," Moustapha Saphariny told Xinhua.

"Their children get additional scores for university entrance exams. They also enjoy preferential policies in health care and other aspects."

Moustapha Saphariny has been living in China Since 1968 and is the president of the Arab Information Center (AIC) in Beijing.

Established in March, the AIC aims to promote people-to-people exchanges and cooperation between Arab countries and China in politics, economy, science and culture.

(Xinhua News Agency July 17, 2009)