Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao's speech titled "Respect the Diversity of Civilizations" made at the Arab League headquarters in Cairo Saturday has been warmly received and has struck a chord in the Arab world.
Arab media gave prominent coverage to Wen's speech which has also won high praise from Arab diplomats.
Deputy Secretary General of Arab League Ahmad Bin Hali said in an interview with Xinhua that Wen's speech "is very valuable." Itaffirmed the efforts by the Arabs and Muslims to strengthen the links between different civilizations, and the contribution the Arab and Islamic world have made to human civilization and values, he said.
Premier Wen's speech delivered "a vital message" -- it calls for solidarity in the interest of the world's security, peace and development, he said. The speech heralds a new starting point for cooperation between the Arab world and China.
Khaled Zeyad, Lebanese representative at the Arab League, told Xinhua that Wen's speech showed that relations between China and the Arab world are profound and that "China has truly opened its heart to the Arab world." He also spoke highly of China's assistance to Arab nations.
The Egyptian newspaper "Al-Ahram" said Sunday that Wen's speech was made against the backdrop of long-term and fruitful cooperation between China and the Arab and Islamic world.
China has been handling its relations with the Arab and Islamic world on the basis of the five principles of peaceful coexistence and showed respect for the religious and cultural identities of the Islamic and Arab nations, it said. The Chinese government has all along supported the rights of Arab and Islamic nations to freedom, independence and unity.
Meanwhile, China has offered numerous loans and grants to Arab and Islamic nations and launched projects in these countries to help them tide over economic difficulties. In addition, China has written off large amounts of debt of some underdeveloped Islamic and Arab nations, the paper added.
The Qatari news agency's report deals mainly with the part of the speech which stresses that China will continue to strengthen its ties with the Arab and Islamic world, including deepening mutual political trust and strategic cooperation in various areas.
The Palestinian press agency on Sunday carried Wen's speech and noted the Chinese premier's call for greater efforts toward peace in the Middle East.
Source: Xinhua |
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