Senior officials from the Arab states have called for more Chinese programs to be shown on Arab television, complaining that Western programs dominate.

Speaking at a high-level China-Arab forum in Beijing recently, Mohammed Khair Alwadi, Syrian ambassador to China, said that Chinese culture was underrepresented and books on China were rare in Arab bookstores and libraries.

Jordanian Minister of Culture Adel Tweisi also said that media plays a critical role in cultural exchanges between China and the Arab countries. Film, tourism, literature and philosophy could help promote contact.

Arabs have little opportunity to watch programs on Chinese culture, history and economic development, or even to learn about China's special status in international trade, he added.

However, he highlighted that Western programs, riddled with violence and crime, dominate air-time on Arab screens.

China Central Television is currently broadcasting an Egyptian TV series called Arabesque. An official with Egypt's Ministry of Culture said he expects more Arab programs to be screened in China, and vice versa.

China and nations belonging to the League of Arab States on Saturday jointly launched a three-week Arabic arts festival in China to mark the 50th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations and to boost cooperative ties.

(Xinhua News Agency June 26, 2006)