China's top political advisor meets King of Bahrain

Yu Zhengsheng (R), chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, meets with King of Bahrain Sheikh Hamad bin Isa Al-khalifa on the sidelines of a China-Arab State Expo in Yinchuan, the capital of Northwest China's Ningxia Hui autonomous region, Sept 15, 2013. [Photo/Xinhua]

YINCHUAN - China's top political advisor Yu Zhengsheng met on Sunday with King of Bahrain Sheikh Hamad bin Isa Al-khalifa, on the sidelines of a China-Arab States Expo held in Yinchuan in Northwest China's Ningxia Hui autonomous region.

Yu, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), said China and Bahrain witnessed friendly relations between their peoples and steadily growing cooperation in all areas. The two countries should further consolidate their political mutual trust, promote pragmatic cooperation and push forward the bilateral ties to a new high, he said.

He also welcomed the king's attendance to the expo, saying he hoped the expo could become an effective platform to enhance the mutual understanding, trade and economic cooperation, and common development of China and Arab states, through active participation and support from both sides.

The first China-Arab State Expo opened on Sunday morning in Yinchuan, the capital city of the Ningxia Hui autonomous region, which is home to more than 10 percent of China's 20 million Muslims. Yu attended the opening ceremony and delivered a speech.

The King said the two countries' cooperation is facing good opportunities for further development. His state visit to China aims to expand reciprocal cooperation with China and promote the Bahrain-China relations.

The king is paying his state visit to China from Sept 14 to 16, at the invitation of President Xi Jinping.

The chairman also vowed to enhance the friendly communication between the CPPCC, China's top political advisory body, with relevant departments of Arab states, and exchange with them experience on national governance and development, so as to make bigger contribution for the development of China-Arab relations.

The China-Arab States Expo originated from the China (Ningxia) International Investment and Trade Fair and the China-Arab States Economic and Trade Forum, which has been held annually since 2010.