China and Arab countries face new opportunities and good prospects in mutual friendly cooperation, visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said on Tuesday.

Yang attended the second round of strategic dialogue between China and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) held in the United Arab Emirates on Monday and then paid a two-visit to Egypt where he met Arab League chief Amr Moussa, his Egyptian counterpart Nabil el-Arabi and Hussein Tantawi, chief of Egypt's Supreme Council of the Armed Forces.

In recent years, there has been fast, all-round development of relations, growing mutual political trust and collective cooperation between China and GCC members, Yang said in an interview with Xinhua.

GCC members have become China's important partners in fields of politics, economy and trade and energy, Yang said.

With new opportunities and strong wishes of deepening relationships, the two sides should strengthen coordination in international and regional affairs, he said.

China and the Arab countries are good friends, partners and brothers, Yang said. To enrich the cooperation serves the common interests and is conducive to maintaining and promoting peace, stability and development in the region and the world, he added.

Trade between China and the Arab countries have increased fast. In 2010, bilateral trade reached $145.4 billion, according to Yang.

Talking about the situation in Egypt, Yang said China respected the will and choice of the Egyptian people and supported the efforts of the Egyptian side to maintain domestic stability, promote economic development and ensure a smooth power transition.

As to the Libyan crisis, Yang said China felt deeply concerned about the current situation. China has been consistently rejecting the use of force in international relations, he added.

The UN Charter's principles and other relevant international laws should be followed and the choice of the Libyan people respected, Yang said, adding that peaceful means should be adopted to solve the current crisis.

It is urgent that relevant sides implement a cease-fire as early as possible to avoid the deterioration of the situation which may cause a serious humanitarian disaster, he said.

China supported all efforts that aimed at solving the crisis via political channels such as dialogue and negotiations, he said.

China has maintained good relations with West Asian and North African nations and will consistently develop mutual cooperation and offer help within its abilities, for their development, he said.

(Xinhua News Agency May 3, 2011)