Chinese premier calls for respecting diversity of civilizations
- Source: Xinhua
- [22:24 November 07 2009]
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Third, China will push forward economic cooperation and trade with Arab countries.
"There is great scope and enormous potential for business cooperation between China and Arab countries," Wen observed.
According to Wen, trade volume between the two sides jumped from 36.7 billion US dollars in 2004 to 132.8 billion dollars in 2008, a 3.6-fold increase in a short span of five years.
Meanwhile, by the end of 2008, the total value of contracted projects between the two sides had approached 100 billion dollars.
The two sides should take more concrete and effective measures to expand cooperation in economy and trade, energy, investment, finance, tourism and human resources training, Wen suggested.
Fourth, China hopes to step up cultural exchanges and cooperation with Arab counties.
The Chinese government encourages growing educational, cultural, tourism and other exchanges with Arab countries, the premier said. "We will encourage more young people to study in Arab countries and welcome young Arab students to come to China for study or visit," he added.
Cultural exchange will help deepen mutual understanding, strengthen the bonds of friendship and build strong public support for the friendship between the two sides, he said.
"No matter how the international scene may change, the Chinese people will always be trusted brothers of the Arab people. Let us work together to build a harmonious world of enduring peace and common prosperity," Wen said.
Wen arrived here Friday on a two-day official visit to Egypt, after which he will attend the opening ceremony of the fourth ministerial meeting of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in the Egyptian resort of Sharm el Sheikh on Sunday.
