Sudan underscores importance of China-Arab energy co-op conference

KHARTOUM, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- Sudanese Minister of Energy and Mining al-Zubair Ahmed al-Hassan on Sunday highlighted the importance of the second China-Arab Conference on Energy Cooperation, due to be held on Jan. 26-28 in Khartoum.

"The conference is a true fruit of the Sino-Arab cooperation and reflects seriousness of the Chinese government to enhance its partnership with the Arab states," al-Hassan said at a press conference in Khartoum.

"The conference comes as part of the exchange of benefits between China and the Arab states in the field of energy," he added.

He further said that the partnership between China and the Arab states in field of energy has made strides.

He said the forum would discuss a number of working papers in the fields of energy, petroleum, renewable energies, including solar energy, wind energy and nuclear energy, adding that "there will be an objective scientific discussion on these topics."

The Chinese Ambassador to Sudan, Li Chengwen, speaking at the press conference, said that the conference came within the framework of the Sino-Arab cooperation, adding that "the conference enhances the Sino-Arab ties, particularly in the economic, commercial, cultural and educational fields."

"There is a wide cooperation between China and the Arab states in field of energy. It is a cooperation that we all benefit from through exchange of experiences," he said.

The Chinese ambassador said that the Sino-Arab energy cooperation is of mutual interests, adding that "this cooperation does not close the door before other parties. We encourage other parties to join this conference."

In January 2008, China's Sanya City, Hainan Province, hosted the first China-Arab Conference on Energy Cooperation. The conference is held every two years.