China and 22 Arab nations agreed to establish a cooperative mechanism on energy resources, according to an outcome document approved by the sixth senior officials' meeting of the China-Arab Cooperation Forum on Wednesday.

The document said the two sides agreed that cooperative mechanisms for energy resources, including renewables such as solar and wind, should be established among the governments, state-owned and private enterprises.

The two sides also agreed that both had the right to use nuclear energy peacefully and that investment in oil and natural gas exploration, refining, transportation and sale should be encouraged.

Both sides praised the achievements in building a new type of Sino-Arab partnership, and they pledged to enhance cooperation in investment, trade and environmental protection and to actively strengthen cultural, artistic and educational exchanges.

The participants agreed to hold the fourth ministerial conference of the Sino-Arab Cooperation Forum in China in the second quarter of 2010 and the 7th senior officials' meeting before the ministerial conference.

(Xinhua News Agency June 24, 2009)