Doha/Information Office/ 12 May 2016/ Chinese President Xi Jinping has confirmed that his country would be fully prepared to exert joint efforts with Arab states to build the new economic belt and silk road with firm steps according to the consultation, partnership and sharing between the two sides to open wider and more comprehensive horizons for the Sino-Arab relations of strategic cooperation. The Chinese President explained in the speech, read on his behalf by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi at the opening session of the 7th Arab-Chinese Forum, that in 2014 he initiated a Sino-Arab partnership and the establishment of the economic belt and silk road. He said the initiative found positive response from Arab states, confirming that he sensed enthusiasm from the Arab side for participation in the building the belt and the road when he visited the Arab League Headquarters last January. The Chinese President said this round of the ministerial meeting will discuss in depth the Sino-Arab cooperation in the building of the belt and the road as well as the deepening of the strategic cooperation between the two sides and the comprehensive planning regarding areas and projects of priority to the collective Sino-Arab cooperation during the next two years. Concluding, the Chinese President said this forum assumes great importance for consolidating mutual cooperation, deepening cultural and humanitarian contacts and enhancing building mechanisms for the execution of outcome of Doha Declaration and the executive programme, wishing this important forum every success.