BEIJING, July 19 (INP): China will consolidate its traditional friendship with Arab countries in the framework of ‘One Belt and one Road Initiative’, said a spokesperson of the Chinese Foreign Ministry Geng Shuang here on Friday at a weekly news briefing.

Commenting on the forthcoming visit of Crown Prince Abu Dhabi Muhammad of the United Arab Emirates to China, he said the Chinese side is looking forward to deepen their relations with the Arab countries through such important visit.

The visit, he said will help to enhance mutual political trust between the two countries, deepen bilateral cooperation in the framework of the "One Belt, One Road" and promote greater development of China-Arab comprehensive strategic partnership in the new era

At the invitation of President Xi Jinping, the Crown Prince will pay a state visit to China from July 21st to 23rd. During the visit, President Xi Jinping will hold talks with Crown Prince Muhammad.

According to the spokesperson, the UAE is China's important strategic partner in the Middle East Gulf region. In recent years, China-Arab relations have maintained a comprehensive, rapid and in-depth development momentum.

The two countries have adhered to equal treatment and mutual respect, established a comprehensive strategic partnership, and understood and supported each other in terms of their core interests and major concerns.

The cooperation in facilities construction, investment, finance, production capacity, high-tech and other fields is rich in results and cultural exchanges are close.

Crown Prince Muhammad’s upcoming state visit to China is taking place after nearly four years.

To a question about Iran’s nuclear program, Geng Shuang said, China always believes that the complete and effective implementation of the relevant agreement in accordance with the requirements of the UN Security Council resolutions is the only realistic and effective way to resolve the Iranian nuclear issue and ease the current tension.

Under the current situation, he added, all parties should, in particular, remain calm and restrained, insist on dialogue and solve problems under the framework of a comprehensive agreement, and at the same time assume their own responsibilities and ensure the balance of rights and obligations of the agreement, especially to safeguard the economic dividend of the Iraqi side and safeguard the validity of the agreement.

The spokesperson further said, they have taken note of Foreign Minister Zarif’s statement that they are willing to seek a compromise solution.

It is hoped that the US can respond positively, abandon the wrong practices of putting pressure on Iraq and other extreme pressures, avoid obstructing the implementation of comprehensive agreements, respecting the legitimate rights and interests of all parties, and creating conditions for resolving mutual concerns on the basis of mutual respect and equal dialogue, he added.

INP/J/SB