In the opening ceremony of the Forum in 2004, Chinese foreign minister Li Zhaoxing said that “the Arab world is an important force in the international arena, and that China and Arab countries enjoy a time-honored friendship.” Arab foreign ministers attending the meeting agreed that the formal inauguration of the forum was a significant event in the history of Arab ties with China. At the conclusion of the meeting, Li and Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa signed a declaration and an action plan for the forum. __