CAIRO: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks with Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit in Cairo on Monday.
The secretary-general and the foreign minister discussed various Arab and international issues of common interest, especially the Palestinian crisis and developments in Gaza.
They exchanged in-depth views on the conflict, agreeing on several ways to ease the crisis.
Wang Yi is visiting Egypt, Tunisia, Togo and the Ivory Coast until Thursday.
Aboul Gheit received the Chinese minister, who was accompanied by a high-level delegation, at the headquarters of the league’s General Secretariat.
The Arab League chief highlighted the longstanding and strong relationship between Arab countries and China, particularly since the inception of the China-Arab Cooperation Forum in 2004.
Jamal Rushdi, spokesperson for the secretary-general, said Wang Yi was keen to host the 10th Ministerial Meeting of the China-Arab Cooperation Forum in China this year, its 20th anniversary.
During the talks, Aboul Gheit warned of the enormous consequences of forced population displacement from the Gaza Strip.
He reiterated the complete Arab rejection of any forced displacement as a violation of international law, which was agreed upon by the Chinese minister.
Aboul Gheit lauded the continued support provided by China — at the political and humanitarian levels — to the Palestinian cause in international fora, especially the UN.
The Arab League chief was briefed by the Chinese minister on the Taiwan issue, especially in light of the presidential elections held in the country on Jan. 13.
Aboul Gheit described the Arab position as supporting China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, with a firm commitment to the one-China policy.
The two officials signed a memorandum of understanding between the General Secretariat of the Arab League and the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
It aims to establish a China-Arab think tank association that will strengthen ties between China, the Arab League, and its member states.
