Xi announces humanitarian aid to Syrian refugees

BEIJING - Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday announced humanitarian assistance of 100 million yuan (about $16 million) to Syrian refugees in various countries, including Jordan and Lebanon.

Xi made the announcement during a meeting with heads of delegations of Arab countries who were attending the sixth ministerial meeting of the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum in Beijing.

Xi also announced additional aid of 60 million yuan to Palestine.

Calling Arab countries China's "good friends and brothers", Xi said China has always valued its relations with Arab nations and pushed forward the relationship from a strategic height and long-term perspective.

He said China will adhere to four policies on Arab countries. These are unswerving support for the Middle East peace process and safeguarding the legitimate rights of Arabs, pushing forward a political settlement to promote peace and stability in Middle East, supporting the development of Arab countries and their efforts to explore their own development paths, and advancing dialogues between civilizations.

China wants to work with Arab countries to realize each other's national rejuvenation, said Xi.