Arab League chief appreciates China's support

Beijing - The visiting Arab League chief on Tuesday highly praised Beijing's role in regional affairs in the Middle East, saying China is a major world power that really supports pursuit of justice from developing countries.

Nabil al-Arabi made the comments when meeting Vice-President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People.

Arabi told Xi that the Arab League appreciates China's long-term support to the just causes of Arab countries as a permanent member of the UN Security Council and highly evaluates China's positive role in international affairs and regional affairs in the Middle East, the Foreign Ministry said in a press release after the talks.

Arabi is on a five-day trip to China. He also had talks with Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi on Tuesday. This is Arabi's first visit to China since he became Arab League chief in July 2010.

The visit comes as Syria held its first multiparty parliamentary elections in five decades. The nation has adopted a new constitution that allows political parties to compete with the ruling Baath Party.

The Foreign Ministry said Xi and Arabi discussed regional situations in West Asia and North Africa, without providing details.

Xi also told Arabi that China highly appreciates the Arab League's support on Beijing's core interests and major issues of concern.

China would like to see united and stronger Arab nations, and expects the Arab League to play a leading role in forging closer ties between China and the Arab world, Xi said.

He added that Beijing attaches high importance to the Fifth Ministerial Meeting of the China-Arab Cooperation Forum, slated to be held in Tunisia at the end of this month.

China expects both sides to take the chance to bring their strategic and cooperative relations to a new height, Xi said.