On May 14, 2010, the Fourth Ministerial Meeting of the China-Arab Cooperation Forum closed in Tianjin. In the two-day meeting, both sides discussed the development of the forum as well as international and regional issues of common concern in a broad and in-depth manner and achieved important outcomes. In the Tianjin Declaration (the full text of the declaration will be released separately) signed and issued at the meeting, both sides announced the establishment of China-Arab strategic cooperative relationship featuring comprehensive cooperation and common development within the framework of the forum. To this end, they pledged to enhance exchange of visits at all levels, carry out strategic dialogue and consultations, continue to support each other on issues concerning their respective core and major interests, deepen cooperation in the fields of politics, economy, trade, energy, environment and humanities and keep closer communication and coordination in international and regional affairs.

Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said the meeting was a milestone in the history of China-Arab relations. The establishment of China-Arab strategic cooperative relationship featuring comprehensive cooperation and common development will give great impetus to the development of China-Arab relations in the new era and help push China-Arab friendly cooperation in all areas forward. It is not only conducive to both sides, but also will set an example for pushing forward solidarity and cooperation among developing nations. China is ready to work with the Arab side to take the establishment of the strategic cooperative relationship as a new start, consolidate political trust and comprehensively lift the level of China-Arab friendly cooperation so as to benefit both peoples and promote world and regional peace and development.

The representatives of the Arab states hailed the China-Arab traditional friendship and thanked for China’s support to the just cause of Arab countries and their peoples. They agreed that the Arab states and China are good friends and good partners with mutual trust and sincere cooperation. As the world today is undergoing profound changes, the two sides should more than ever support and cooperate with each other. The Arab states attach great importance to China’s development and hope to enhance the forum mechanism building, continuously enrich the connotations of Arab-China strategic cooperation, join hands to meet challenges and realize common development, and push for the establishment of a new international political and economic order that is fair and reasonable.

Both sides also signed cooperation documents including the communiqué of the meeting and the action plan for 2010-2012.

Following the meeting, Yang Jiechi, Libyan Foreign Minister Mousa Kousa, also co-chair of the meeting, and Secretary General of the League of Arab States Amre Moussa jointly met the press.

The next ministerial meeting is scheduled to be held in Tunisia in 2012.

Zhang Gaoli, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and secretary of the CPC Tianjin Municipal Committee, met with the representatives attending the meeting.