(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-05-21 20:15

MANAMA  -- China called for a pragmatic relationship based on the real needs with all 22 Arab nations during the third ministerial meeting of China-Arab Cooperating Forum opened here Wednesday.

Promoting cooperation is the foremost aim of the forum and both sides should address their real needs in the cooperation, Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said at the opening ceremony of the forum.

Yang said with joint efforts from both sides, the forum has set up a framework for increasing political, economic and cultural relations and become an effective mechanism to enhance dialogue between the two sides.

Yang proposed that the two sides should make it a priority to boost bilateral cooperation in energy, investment, engineering project and human resource development.

China is ready to consult with the Arab side to set up a mechanism for enhancing two-way investment, Yang said.

He pledged to expand the human resource training, saying that China will help to train 1,000 personnel of management and technology for Arab countries every year in the next three years.

China will also make joint efforts with the Arab countries to improve their trade structure and resolve the trade imbalance, he added.

Besides trying to further economic ties, Yang hoped the forum can be a platform to address major regional issues.

"We should make use of the forum to strengthen coordination of major regional issues so as to help ease the tense situation in some regions," Yang said.

Both sides should also seek closer coordination in political and economic affairs of the world in an effort to protect the interests of developing nations, he added.

China-Arab Cooperation Forum was established in 2004 when Chinese President Hu Jintao visited headquarters of the Arab League in Cairo.