China, Arab states pledge to cooperate

As the fifth Ministerial Conference of China-Arab States Cooperation Forum drew to a close on Thursday, participants from China and Arab League countries agreed to work side by side to address major international issues and bring tangible benefits to the people.

On the Syrian issue, Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said that China and Arab countries support UN-Arab League special envoy Kofi Annan's six-point peace plan and will work side by side to call for an immediate stop to bloodshed and foreign intervention, hoping to prevent Syria from sliding into civil war.

Commenting on the latest mass killings in Houla, Syria, where 108 of people were killed, Yang said China was greatly astonished and saddened by the tragedy. In its strongest terms, China condemned the killing of innocent civilians, including women and children, demanded a fair and thorough investigation and called for the severe punishment of those responsible, Yang added.