On August 17, 2006, Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing attended the banquet held by Arab diplomats in China upon invitation. Assistant Foreign Minister Zhai Jun, diplomats from 22 Arab countries and charge d'affaires ad interim from the representative office of the League of Arab States (LAS) in Beijing attended the banquet.

In his speech, Li said since the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Arab states, bilateral cooperation in all areas has been expanding continuously and both sides have become good friends and partners that rely on each other. At the second ministerial meeting of China-Arab Cooperation Forum held not long ago, both sides expressed their political aspiration to strengthen friendship and expand cooperation in the new situation. China is confident with the prospect of China-Arab relations. On behalf of all Arab diplomats, Syrian Ambassador to China Mhd Kheir Al-Wadi thanked the Chinese side for attaching importance to and actively pushing for Arab-China ties, adding that the success of the second ministerial meeting of China-Arab Cooperation Forum has helped inject new vitality into Arab-China ties. The Arab side is ready to continue strengthening friendship and expand cooperation with China.

The Arab diplomats in China thanked for and appreciated China's just position on Lebanon-Israel, Palestine-Israel, Iraqi and other regional hot-spot issues, expressing hope that China, as a big nation of great influence and a permanent member of the UN Security Council, will continue to play a positive role in the affairs of the Middle East region. Li elaborated China's policy and proposals on the Middle East issue, expressing willingness to strengthen consultation and coordination with Arab states to help realize peace and stability in the Middle East region at an early date.

On behalf of Arab diplomats in China, Ambassador Mhd Kheir Al-Wadi expressed condolences over the death of Du Zhaoyu, a Chinese peacekeeper, in Lebanon, as well as sympathy for his relatives.