China and the Arab League issued a joint pledge yesterday to expand their annual trade to US$100 billion by 2010 as they wrapped up a two-day conference meant to strengthen all-round ties.

Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing signed a two-year plan for the Sino-Arab Cooperation Forum with Secretary General Amr Mahmoud Moussa of the Arab League.

The action plan for Sino-Arab cooperation between 2006 and 2008 included plans for a bilateral meeting to focus on oil issues and "a dialogue mechanism" to further promote energy cooperation.

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