China and Oman on Thursday established a friendship association in Beijing, bringing to 49 the number of friendship associations China has forged with other countries or regions.

"The association is a milestone in people-to-people friendship between China and Oman," Tomur Dawamat, head of China-Arab Friendship Association, said at the founding ceremony.

He said the association reflected the importance with which the governments of China and Oman regarded bilateral non-governmental ties.

Abdullan Saadi, Oman's ambassador to China, said he hoped the association would establish an effective cooperation mechanism with its counterpart in Oman.

A China-Oman friendly exchange fund was also set up on Thursday, with China and Oman each donating 500,000 yuan.

The ambassador said the fund would help expand bilateral youth and cultural exchanges.

China and Oman established diplomatic ties on May 25, 1978.

Source: Xinhua