On May 31, 2006, Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing met respectively with Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates Mohammed Hussain Al Shaali, Secretary-General of the League of Arab States (LAS) Amr Mahmoud Moussa, Deputy Prime Minister & Foreign Minister of Kuwait Sheikh Mohammed Al-Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of Algeria Mohamed Bedjaoui, Foreign Minister of Bahrain Khalid Bin Ahmed Bin Mohammed Al-Khalifa, Foreign Minister of Somalia Abdullah Sheikh Ismail and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia Nizar bin Obaid Madani, who were here in Beijing to attend the second ministerial meeting of China-Arab Cooperation Forum.

        Li indicated that this year marks the 50th anniversary of the launch of diplomatic ties between China and Arab countries. Over the past half a century, both sides have established a profound traditional friendship. Under the new current situation, both sides share broad common interest. This is the solid basis and strong driving force for bilateral relations to continue to develop. China hopes to summarize successful experience in sound development of China-Arab relations through the upcoming second ministerial meeting of the China-Arab Cooperation Forum, plan the future of bilateral friendly cooperation and push for the establishment of new-type partnership. Li appreciated the Arab side for adhering to the one-China position and hoped that the great majority of Arab states will continue to support China's grand cause of reunification.

        The Arab side reaffirmed their compliance with the one-China position and made highly positive comments on China-Arab relations, expressing willingness to take this meeting as a new starting point to deepen and expand bilateral cooperation in the areas of politics, economy & trade, and international affairs so that bilateral relations will achieve more rapid and better development.

       Both sides also exchanged views on developing China's relations with the LAS and these six countries, as well as regional and international issues including the Palestine-Israel issue, the Iraqi issue, the Iranian nuclear issue and the Somali issue.