As China's rapid growth highlights the global economy, the cooperation between China and Arab states will extend benefit to the whole Muslim world, Mauritania's President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz said in an interview with Ningxia Daily on Sept. 21.

"I have been paying close attention to China's development, but I'm still amazed by the country's fast growth by what I see this time,"said Aziz. He believed that China is moving forward on a right path.

The miracle China made in its economic growth has provided valued experience for the world, the president said. Mauritania will take it as a model in its own economic development.

Although Aziz has been to China once in 1986, this time is his first in Ningxia and he described everything in Ningxia as "incredible" when he set foot on the land to attend the 2011 China-Arab States Economic and Trade Forum (CASETF).

He said the annual CASETF in Ningxia gives people a good opportunity to have face-to-face exchanges and each time new ideas will come up as well as clashes. He believed that it will bring more inspiration and reflection and help people find their common ground.

Aziz stressed the friendship between China and Arab states by citing the old saying "Muslims all around the world are brothers."

"We have similar beliefs and customs no matter where the Muslims come from, China, Mauritania or any other part of the world," he said. He felt easy with the courteous treatment he received here as Ningxia is the only provincial region in China home to the majority of ethnic Hui people with the belief of Islam.

China is an important trade partner for Mauritania. Aziz encouraged Ningxia companies to invest in the fishery and mining industry of Mauritania, who boasts rich natural resources. He also showed great interest in Ningxia's development in new energy and hoped to work with Ningxia in the use of wind power and solar power.

In addition to petroleum and energy, China and Arab states have cooperated in deeper and wider fields, Aziz said. A best proof of it lies in the multiple conference workshops of this year's CASETF, including university presidents summit, publishing and TV summit, and tourism summit.