On January 21, 2016 local time, President Xi Jinping met in Cairo with Secretary-General Nabil El Araby of the League of Arab States (LAS).

Xi Jinping pointed out that this year marks the 60th anniversary of China's establishment of diplomatic relations with the Arab states. Over the past 60 years, China-Arab relations have achieved leapfrog development with fruitful results from friendly cooperation in various areas. As an important regional organization, the LAS has been making unremitting efforts to help the Arab world realize national independence and unite for self-development, playing a unique role in regional and international affairs. China stands ready to strengthen China-LAS friendly relations and expects the LAS to continue to play a leading role in promoting China-Arab friendship.

Xi Jinping emphasized that the Chinese nation and the Arab nation have been sticking to mutual understanding and mutual support in pursuing national independence and development. China has for long offered firm support for the Arab states' just causes and has also been rooting for the Arab states in pursuing solidarity and self-development as well as independently resolving regional issues. China and the Arab nations should inherit the traditional friendship, enhance political mutual trust, and strengthen coordination and cooperation on major international and regional issues. The two sides need to jointly construct the "Belt and Road" and establish friendly cooperative relations featuring mutual benefits and win-win results. The two sides should also deepen cooperation in various fields based on the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum (CASCF), so as to push the China-Arab cooperation to a new stage.

Nabil El Araby expressed that he welcomes President Xi Jinping's visit to the headquarters of the LAS. China always stands beside and gives support to the developing countries. All Arab states appreciate China's support to the Arab causes, to the Palestinian cause in particular. The Arab states highly praise and attach great importance to the Arab policy paper released by China on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of China's establishment of friendly relations with them. They stand ready to cooperate closely with China in politics, economy and other fields as well as on international and regional issues, and give full play to the CASCF, so as to promote the common interests of both sides.

Wang Huning, Li Zhanshu, Yang Jiechi and others attended the meeting.

Prime Minister Sherif Ismail of Egypt was present.