Arab countries discussed on June 25 at the Arab League headquarters the means to strengthen their ties with China in multiple fields including peace, security and cultural exchanges, Egypt's official MENA news agency reported.

The meeting aimed to prepare for the eighth ministerial meeting of the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum (CASCF) to be held on July 10 in Beijing.

The meeting, attended by permanent delegates of Arab states to Arab League, discussed how to build an integrated partnership between Arab states and China through the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative.

The initiative aims to build a trade and infrastructure network that connects Asia with Africa and Europe along the trade routes of the ancient Silk Road. The Middle East plays a major role within the initiative as it serves a bridge connecting China with Africa and Europe.

The meeting also discussed forming a unified Arab vision among the Arab countries before attending the ministerial meeting in Beijing.

The CASCF, inaugurated in 2004, has so far held seven ministerial conferences and 14 sessions to deepen the long-standing Arab-Chinese friendship.

The forum, co-launched by Beijing and the Arab League, which has 22 members with diplomatic ties with China, was initiated as a result of the steady development of the China-Arab ties over the decades.

(Xinhua News Agency June 25, 2018)