BEIJING, April 25 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice President Li Yuanchao met the political leaders from some Arab countries on Monday.

BEIJING, April 25, 2016 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice President Li Yuanchao meets with political leaders from 16 Arab countries, who had attended a dialog with the Communist Party of China (CPC), in Beijing, China, April 25, 2016. (Xinhua/Ma Zhancheng)

At present were 36 representatives from about 30 political parties of 16 Arab countries, who had attended a dialog with the Communist Party of China (CPC) from April 21 to 22 in northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region.

Li said Arab countries are an important force in the global political arena, noting that President Xi Jinping's visit to the Middle East in January promoted China-Arab ties to a new stage.

Li said Arab countries play a vital role in the Belt and Road Initiative and he hoped party-to-party communication would contribute more to China-Arab cooperation.

Former Egyptian Prime Minister Essam Sharaf said he hoped the Belt and Road construction would promote development and stability in the Arab region.

This year marks the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and Arab states.