China, Arab nations to cooperate against terrorism

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (R) meets with his Yemeni counterpart Abu Bakr al-Qirbi, who is here to attend the sixth ministerial conference of the China-Arab Cooperation Forum, in Beijing, capital of China, June 4, 2014. [Xinhua/Wang Ye]

China and Arab nations should cooperate to fight terrorism, Chinese and Yemeni foreign ministers said on Wednesday.

They made the remarks during their meeting in Beijing ahead of the sixth ministerial conference of the China-Arab Cooperation Forum on Thursday.

Yemeni Foreign Minister Abu-Bakr al-Qirbi said Yemen condemns the recent violence and terrorism in China, and any terrorist forces' attempts to achieve their political purposes through violence are unacceptable.

He expressed hope that anti-terrorism work can be an important field for cooperation between Yemen and China as well as Arab nations and China.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said China backs the Yemeni government to maintain domestic stability and combat terrorism, and that the international community, including China and Arab nations, should cooperate on fighting terrorism.

Wang also met with Somali Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Abdirahman Mohamed Beyles and Qatari Foreign Minister Khalid Bin Mohammed Al Attiyah.

During meeting with Beyles, Wang promised support for Somalia's reconstruction and future assistance to its social and economic development while Beyles said he hoped to partner with China on road networks, port construction and agriculture.

China will reopen its embassy in Somalia as soon as possible and strengthen security cooperation with the country, including sending escort fleets to protect maritime security in local waters, Wang vowed.

During meeting with Al Attiyah, he said China is willing to resume the FTA talks between China and the Gulf Cooperation Council at an early date.

China started FTA negotiations with the bloc in July, 2004 and had five rounds of talks and two panel meetings before talks stalled after 2009.

Qatar is ready to work with China to build the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st century maritime Silk Road and welcomes Chinese businesses to participate in large projects in Qatar, Al Attiyah said.

The foreign ministers agreed that the China-Arab Cooperation Forum has become an important platform for dialogue and cooperation, calling on all sides involved to make joint efforts to ensure a successful ministerial conference in China.