BEIJING // Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, met the Chinese president Hu Jintao yesterday, and the pair expressed their enthusiasm for strengthening bilateral relations. Sheikh Abdullah, in China to take part in the China-Arab Co-operation Forum, which ended yesterday, hailed the "growing relations" between the two countries, according to a statement released by the state news agency WAM.
During his meeting in Beijing with the Chinese president, Sheikh Abdullah conveyed regards from Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed, President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, and wished both Mr Hu and the Chinese people good health, according to WAM. Mr Hu said China was keen to promote trade and investment ties with the UAE. Chinese state media reported that Mr Hu also reiterated his support for the Middle East peace process and for the efforts of Arab states looking to secure their "legitimate national rights".
The opening session of the forum, held on Thursday in Tianjin - a half-hour high-speed train journey from the capital - was attended by Wen Jiabao, the Chinese premier. He met Arab officials from the more than 20 countries involved in the forum, which is held every two years. dbardsley@thenational.ae
