HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani stressed that the Arab- Chinese relations are deeply rooted and date back for hundreds of years, noting that these deep historic close ties witness steady development.

    HH the Emir said, in a speech delivered on his behalf by HE Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani before the Seventh Session of the Ministerial Meeting of China-Arab Cooperation Forum currently held in Doha, that the China-Arab cooperation has achieved sustained growth and fruitful results in all political, economic, security and energy fields thanks to both sides' keenness to enhance and broaden prospects of cooperation for the good of their people.

     HH the Emir said that the Arab world considers China as a strategic partner and attaches great importance to bilateral relations appropriate with its international rank, economic weight and efficient political role in the international arena, adding that toady's Forum is the clearest evidence of both sides' common keenness to continue supporting these relations.

     HH the Emir expressed hope that this Forum would develop effective mechanisms to speed up the pace of Arab- Chinese cooperation, overcome obstacles, enhance the role of public and private sectors in the Arab world and China and encourage them to build economic and investment partnerships based on sound and solid foundations taking into account the common interests.

    HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani said we see in today's meeting an opportunity to discuss means to enhance cooperation and coordination among us in order to meet the challenges that threaten peace, security and stability in the world and to reach peaceful solutions to the regional and international issues, including the Arab-Israeli conflict, the phenomenon of terrorism, extremism and issues of sustainable development.

     HH the Emir asserted the State of Qatar's support for the initiative of building Silk Road Economic Belt put forward by HE President Xi Jinping, adding that we agree with China that the essence of this initiative lies in peace dialogue and cooperation among civilizations, openness and tolerance, mutual benefit and common prosperity.

      Concluding, HH the Emir welcomed the participants to the Forum, wishing them a pleasant stay and for the Forum every success.