China, Arab nations to hold first forum on media co-op

BEIJING, April 21 (Xinhua) -- China and Arab nations will hold a forum on press cooperation in Beijing from April 23 to 26, the first of its kind, the Information Office of China's State Council said Monday.

The forum, co-hosted by the Information Office and the Secretariat of the League of Arab States (LAS), will gather delegates from all 22 LAS member nations and China, with the presence of government officials, chiefs of mainstream media, experts and diplomats.

The forum will focus on strengthening cooperation and friendship between China and Arab nations and press circles, and delegates will hold discussions on Internet coverage, the Beijing Olympic reports and the role of the media in China-Arab relations.

Besides discussions, delegates will visit major Olympic venues like the National Stadium, which is also called Bird's Nest, and the National Aquatics Center, or the Water Cube. Delegates will also tour some rural areas in Beijing's neighboring Hebei Province.

The forum realizes the willing of deepening cooperation between Chinese and Arab media, and would promote concrete cooperation, said an official with the Information Office of China's State Council.