President Xi Jinping praised the Arab League on Tuesday for making unremitting efforts to safeguard multilateralism and the common interests of developing countries, saying that China is willing to work with Arab countries to enhance mutual support and expand cooperation to build a China-Arab community with a shared future for the new era.

Xi made the remarks in a congratulatory message sent to Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, the rotating president of the Council of the Arab League, on the convening of the 31st AL Summit in Algiers, the capital of Algeria.

The Arab League has been committed to seeking strength through unity in the Arab world and actively advancing peace and stability in the Middle East, he said.

Xi also expressed appreciation for Algeria's long-term dedication to strengthening unity among Arab countries, its active role in safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries and its emphasis on collective cooperation between China and Arab countries.

Noting that China's friendship with Algeria and other Arab countries has grown stronger with time, Xi said political mutual trust between China and Arab countries has been increasingly consolidated in recent years, with Belt and Road cooperation achieving tangible progress and practical cooperation in various fields yielding fruitful results.

In face of the COVID-19 pandemic, China and Arab nations have supported each other in times of difficulty, setting an example of South-South cooperation, he said.

China's special envoy on Middle East issues Zhai Jun, who attended the summit's opening ceremony, conveyed Xi's message to the meeting.

mojingxi@chinadaily.com.cn