The final document, approved during the two-day meeting opened here Wednesday at the Arab League (AL) headquarters, said China and Arab countries had made great progress in bilateral exchange in various fields including political, economical, cultural and educational sectors.

Regarding further cooperation between China and Arab countries, the document said the two sides would boost comprehensive exchange in various fields within the framework of the SACF, which was set up in 2004.

The two sides would carry out a series of plans to enhance cooperation on human resource development, travel, culture, environment and science, it said, adding the two sides would continue to work together for the establishment and improvement of more mechanisms for cooperation.

The meeting focused on the evaluation of previous plans of mutual exchange and the preparation for the third SACF ministerial conference, slated for 2008 in Bahrain.

Song Aiguo, Director General of West Asian and North African Department of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, said the meeting was of great significance, to which the Chinese government attached much attention.

The Chinese delegation attending the SACF's senior official meeting consisted of officials from eight governmental departments, which was quite unprecedented, Song said.

The two sides also discussed the issues related to the Middle East peace process and the issues of common concerns.

The two sides highlighted the importance of restoring the legitimate rights of Arab countries, with focus on the Palestinian cause, said the final document, stressing their support for all efforts aiming at establishing fair and comprehensive peace in the Middle East.