China is ready to join hands with Arab countries to strengthen their political relations, expand trade and increase cooperation in international and regional affairs, said Chinese State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan on Tuesday.

China and Arab countries now face the common task of maintaining peace and promoting development, Tang said while meeting with some Arab delegates who are here to attend a two-day seminar on Sino-Arab relations as well as Sino-Arab cultural dialogue.

The year 2006 marks the 50th anniversary of China's establishment of diplomatic ties with the first group of Arab countries. Looking back, Tang said, mutual trust, mutual benefit and mutual aid have served as the foundation for the development of Sino-Arab relations.

"China is willing to work with Arab countries to strengthen political relations, promote trade and economic exchanges, maintain and push forward traditional friendship, and increase cooperation in international and regional affairs," he said.

Describing diversity as a fundamental characteristic of human civilization, Tang said people with different background of civilization should respect each other on an equal footing, promote mutual understanding through dialogue, learn from each other through exchanges and pursue common development through cooperation in their effort to building a harmonious world of lasting peace and common prosperity.

The exchange between Chinese civilization and Arab civilization has made important contribution to the development of human civilization, he said.

Facing the new circumstances, it is necessary for the two sides to learn from each other through various forms of dialogue and exchanges, so as to benefit both people and make new contributions to promoting dialogue among different cultures and building a harmonious world.

Source: Xinhua