President commends Arab Arts Festival

President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory message on Monday to the fifth Arab Arts Festival, calling on China and Arab countries to make joint contributions for building a China-Arab community with a shared future in the new era.

In the message, Xi said China and Arab states enjoy a long-lasting friendship that grows stronger with time. From opening up the ancient Silk Road to jointly building the Belt and Road, China and Arab countries have walked hand in hand with fruitful results being achieved in people-to-people exchanges and cooperation, he said.

The festival was opened in Jingdezhen, Jiangxi province, on Monday, less than two weeks since the first China-Arab States Summit was held in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia.

Xi said he hoped the festival would provide an opportunity for the two sides to implement the summit's outcomes, carry forward the Silk Road spirit, boost traditional friendship and strengthen cultural exchanges in order to give long-lasting impetus to deepening the China-Arab strategic partnership.