A bloc of Arab nations said on Tuesday that the region's ties with China remain on an upward trajectory, attributing the progress in relations to frequent bilateral talks over the years. "The Arab League is always eager to improve relations with China as part of efforts to achieve common goals," the bloc's assistant secretary general and social affairs chief Ambassador Haifa Abu Ghazaleh said amid Arab-Sino talks via video link. Abu Ghazaleh, said during a speech at the opening of the Ninth Symposium on China-Arab Relations and China-Arab Civilization Dialogue that was held virtually in Beijing, that China-Arab States Cooperation Forum has become a bridge for cooperation and exchanging dialogue between the Arab and Chinese societies and enhancing commonalities between the two sides. The official cited global cooperation as one of the silver linings of the COVID pandemic, saying Arab nations have worked closely with the world's most populous nation to topple the virus after it had upended daily life across the globe. Common efforts to improve bilateral relations is the primary topic of the talks, added the official, with both sides eyeing to ramp up "future joint endeavors," she said. The Arab League highlighted the importance of China-Arab States Cooperation Forum in enhancing cooperation and coordination between the two sides in a way that forms a true qualitative leap in all fields. The forum also contributed to boosting cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative, and increasing the level of Arab-Chinese cooperation, organizers said, stressing the importance of enhancing dialogue between the Chinese and Arab civilizations, in addition to deepening civil communication for mutual benefit. — Agencies
