Doha/Information Office/ 12 May 2016/ The Seventh Session of the Ministerial Meeting of China-Arab Cooperation Forum kicked off in the Doha Sheraton Hotel on Thursday. In his opening speech, HE Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani said the Forum serves as a link in the communication between the two deeply rooted Arabic and Chinese civilizations, pointing out that such a communication succeeded in reflecting a bright side of international relations. HE Minister of Foreign Affairs said in this sense we must intensify efforts and coordination in all issues of common interest to both sides, primarily the development, climate, nuclear energy, dialogue of civilizations along with the reform and development of the United Nations, noting that the Arab-Chinese relations have been enhanced to reach a strategic partnership level aimed at improving cooperation in various fields. He expressed satisfaction over the success that has been achieved in the implementation of the program of the Forum 2014 -2016, as the two parties' visions about its strategic goals and objectives have become clear and reflected their seriousness and keenness towards achieving a constructive cooperation and wider prospects through the support of institutions, joint projects, implementation of the decimal development plan of the China-Arab Cooperation Forum 2014-2024 in the framework of investing cultural and historical denominators between the actual partners to serve the peoples' issues. The joint will of the Arab countries and China to achieve a successful model of South - South cooperation makes this forum a strong platform to accelerate sustainable development at the national level of both sides through an integrative work, which keeps pace with the efforts aimed at promoting the human element; capacity building, transfer of expertise, technology and capital; increasing the volume of trade exchange and creating economic investment opportunities without losing sight of the cultural side, he went on saying. The trade exchange volume between Arab countries and China in 2015 totaled USD 250 billion, HE Minister of Foreign Affairs said. The interaction of peoples' interests confirm the permanent conviction of the importance of cooperation between nations and groups to face economic challenges, he said, referring to the Arab countries' support for the initiative of building Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st-century Maritime Silk Road put forward by HE President Xi Jinping. HE Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani stressed the importance of continued bilateral coordination and consultation imperatively required in the context of the latest developments and challenges facing the world which require further work to establish international relations according to a vision based on cooperation, solidarity and coexistence among all peoples. This stems from the firm conviction that everyone's interest to achieve peace, stability and development can only be achieved through dialogue and durable and fair solutions to the issues of peoples in accordance with the decisions of international legitimacy, he added. HE Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani said that achieving peace and security in the Arab region is fundamental to realizing peace and security in the whole world, saying that the international community should shoulder its responsibility in finding a solution to the question of Palestine in accordance with international legitimacy resolutions and Arab peace initiative. His Excellency praised China's positions in support of Arab issues, including the Palestinian cause, hoping for continued support by China to Arab just causes in order to reach the desired peace in Middle East within the framework of principles and provisions of international law, the United Nations Charter and the relevant Security Council resolutions that affirm the rights of the Palestinian people to establish their independent State, with its capital in Jerusalem. HE the Foreign Minister stressed that the international community must redouble their efforts in addressing the Syrian crisis in order to reach a comprehensive solution that ends the suffering of Syrian people without foreign military interventions and in accordance with provisions of Geneva 1 and the relevant Security Council resolutions. He stressed the importance of solving conflicts through peaceful means, and not through the use of force and violence which only led to the rise of terrorism and extremism. Concluding his speech, HE the Foreign Minister said that the draft Doha declaration includes a range of items that showed a unified visions towards our common interests, adding that implementation program for China-Arab Cooperation Forum for 2016-2018 has an ambitious plan to advance relations between the Arab countries and China. It also gives a real opportunity to build more joint strategies for cooperation in different political, economic, cultural and scientific fields.