BEIJING, March 7 (Xinhuanet) -- The Sino-Arabic relations are developing smoothly, Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing said here Tuesday.

    Since the Sino-Arabic forum was founded, the two sides carried out close cooperation. The forum developed rapidly. Last year the second CEO meeting of the Sino-Arabic entrepreneurship forum was held. The two sides also launched cooperative training program on human resources, Li said at a press conference held on the sidelines of the ongoing annual full session of the Tenth National People's Congress.

    All the progress show that the forum has become a new platform to strengthen dialogue and cooperation between China and the Arab countries. This year the second Sino-Arabic ministerial meeting will be held in Beijing, said Li.

    He said, "We are willing to make efforts with all Arab nations to deepen cooperation of the forum in different fields and promote the Sino-Arabic relations to develop consistently in the new period,"

    He said China has always attached importance to the Middle East affairs and is devoted to the realization of peace and stability in the region. China stands for developing inter-country relations within the region on the basis of mutual respect and benefit. China has also endeavored to promote peace and negotiation in the region.

    "With joint efforts of international community, we will pursue solutions to various issues including the conflicts between Palestine and Israel," he said.

    The Middle East has its unique historic tradition, religious belief and cultural characters. All acts concerning the region should be helpful in finding peaceful solutions to the hot issues in the region and promoting the realization of peace, stability and development, he said.

    "We should respect the will of nations and peoples in the region and facilitate consultations between the countries in the region," he said. Enditem