The third seminar on China-Arab relations and civilizations within the framework of the Sino-Arab Cooperation Forum (SACF) is set to be held in Tunis on Monday and Tuesday.

The meeting will bring together representatives from China and 22 Arab countries, whose dialogues and discussions are expected to focus on enhancing cultural exchanges between the two sides and promoting bilateral friendly relations.

This year marks the 53rd anniversary of the start of China's diplomatic relations with Arab countries. For over half a century, Sino-Arab friendly cooperative relations have experienced continuous development with political ties and economic and trade cooperation becoming ever closer.

At present, the Sino-Arab relations have entered a new historical stage of full-scale development, and vigorously carrying out the Sino-Arab dialogue on civilizations will help push forward bilateral cooperative relations.

Both China and the Arab world have a long history and a splendid civilization and enjoy a time-honored friendship. Though different in history, culture, social systems and development modes, both advocate the diversity of and dialogue between civilizations, as well as mutual development by seeking common ground while shelving differences.

Since its establishment in 2004, the SACF has, thanks to efforts from both sides, developed into a cooperative framework and an important platform and effective mechanism for collective dialogues between China and Arab countries, which highlight cooperation in the fields of politics, economy and trade and culture, among other areas. It has grown in significance and injected fresh vigor into Sino-Arab friendly cooperation.

The seminar on Sino-Arab relations and civilization, part of a series of activities run by the SACF, is designed to boost the exchanges and cooperation between China and Arab countries in such fields as culture, ideology, education and society. The SACF has so far been held twice, first in Beijing in 2005 and the second in Saudi Arabian capital Riyadh in 2007.

The two sides have held discussions and exchanges in depth on the subjects of promoting bilateral relations and cultural ties, strengthening the role that Chinese and Arabian civilizations play in coping with the challenge of globalization and improving understanding between the two civilizations. Many useful suggestions have been put forward. Both sides hope to strengthen this kind of dialogue and push forward the full-scale development of Sino-Arab relations.

The upcoming seminar has three major topics, namely, China in the Arabian culture and the Arab world in the Chinese culture; the humane values and nature in Arabian and Chinese cultures; and the Sino-Arab cooperation in the areas of science, technology and new media.

Observers here believe that the diversity in cultures and development modes, dialogues on the basis of equality and an approach of embracing various ideas are essential for the peaceful development of the world. Different civilizations should seek mutual respect, mutual understanding through dialogues and mutual development through cooperation.

Chinese and Arabian civilizations have made great contributions to human civilization, and both sides hope to conduct dialogues and exchanges of various forms to help build a harmonious world.

(Xinhua News Agency May 11, 2009)