Crossing Cultures

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao delivered a speech at the headquarters of the League of Arab States in Cairo, Egypt, on November 7. Wen's main points follow:

Both the Islamic and the Chinese civilizations are treasures of the human civilization, and both have made indelible contributions to the progress and development of human society.

The ever-expanding and deepening exchanges between China and the Arab world have not only enhanced their respective cultural prosperity and economic development, but also promoted interactions between the Eastern and Western civilizations.

Respecting diversity of civilizations

Civilizations can be different, but no civilization is superior to others. Each civilization embodies a common vision and common aspirations for mankind, shaped in the course of development and progress.

We must recognize that the diversity of civilizations is largely reflected in ethnic and religious diversity. It is the basic policy of the Chinese Government to implement and improve the system of regional ethnic autonomy, ensure equality among all ethnic groups, while speeding up the economic and social development of minority ethnic groups and areas inhabited by these groups. It is also China's policy to ensure freedom of religious belief, while bringing into play the positive role of religious personages and religious believers in promoting economic and social development.

China is committed to deepening political trust and strengthening strategic cooperation with Arab countries. It serves the fundamental interests of both sides to solidify political trust and intensify strategic cooperation.

China and Arab countries should work together to promote peace and stability, seek settlement of international disputes and regional conflicts through dialogue and consultation, oppose all forms of terrorism, separatism and extremism, while rejecting the linkage of terrorism to any specific ethnic group or religion.

China is ready to step up cooperation with Arab countries to address global challenges, including climate change, energy and non-traditional security threats, while promoting the attainment of the UN Millennium Development Goals.

China and Arab countries should also strive to support and cooperate with each other in major international and regional affairs, while working together to safeguard the interests of developing nations and build a just and reasonable new international order.

Promoting Chinese-Arab cooperation

China will continue to promote the Middle East peace process. It is ready to step up consultation with Arab countries and other parties concerned and play a constructive role in promoting a comprehensive, just and lasting settlement of the Middle East issue in order to achieve peace, security and stability in this part of the world.

China will push forward economic cooperation and trade with Arab countries. There exists a great scope and enormous potential for business cooperation between China and Arab countries.

In response to the serious impact of the international financial crisis, it is all the more imperative to take increasingly concrete and effective measures to expand practical cooperation in economy, trade, energy, investment, finance, tourism and human resources training.

China hopes to step up cultural exchanges and cooperation with Arab countries. It encourages growing educational, cultural, tourism and other exchanges with Arab countries.

The author is former vice president of the Chinese People's Institute of Foreign Affairs