On May 31, Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing said at the second ministerial meeting of China-Arab Cooperation Forum that it is the common responsibility of both sides to well develop the Forum and bring benefits to both peoples.

In his speech, Li indicated that the Chinese government attaches great importance to development of China-Arab relations and the Forum, and would like to join hands with the Arab side to jointly push for the establishment of new-type China-Arab partnership. Li raised the following four-point proposal on the development of the Forum. First, pragmatic construction of the Forum should continue to be advanced. Second, the mechanism of the Forum should be improved. Second, people's participation should be expanded. Fourth, the complementary and promotion role of the Forum in developing bilateral ties between China and all Arab states should be given full play.

Rotating President of the Council of the Foreign Ministers of Member Countries of the League of Arab States (LAS) & Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates Mohammed Hussain Al Shaali indicated at the meeting that Arab-China relationship is the most important one in foreign relations of Arab countries. The convening of this ministerial meeting is an important step towards the development of the Forum and will help strengthen China-Arab mutually beneficial cooperation in all areas and bring benefits to both peoples. LAS Secretary-General Amr Mahmoud Moussa said that both sides share broad common interest with wide space for cooperation and Arab states would like to make joint efforts with China to push for the establishment of new-type China-Arab partnership through the Forum and create a better further for bilateral relations.

The second ministerial meeting of China-Arab Cooperation Forum was opened in Beijing on May 31. The Ministers and Ministers' Representatives from 22 Arab countries attended this meeting.

Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing, and Rotating President of the Council of the Foreign Ministers of Member Countries of the League of Arab States (LAS) & Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates Mohammed Hussain Al Shaali co-chaired the meeting and delivered keynote speeches. Deputy Prime Minister & Foreign Minister of Kuwait Sheikh Mohammed Al-Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of Algeria Mohamed Bedjaoui, Foreign Minister of Bahrain Khalid Bin Ahmed Bin Mohammed Al-Khalifa, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Mauritania Ahmed Ould Sid'ahmed, Tunisian Ambassador to China Mohamed Sahbi Basly and Foreign Minister of the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) Mahmoud Al-Zahar delivered speeches respectively.