China, Arab states agree to forge strategic partnership

Chinese President Xi Jinping delivers a speech at the opening ceremony of the eighth ministerial meeting of the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, July 10, 2018. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei)

Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered a speech at the opening ceremony of the eighth ministerial meeting of the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum on Tuesday morning at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

Xi announced that China and Arab countries had agreed to establish a "future-oriented strategic partnership of comprehensive cooperation and common development."