On 25 September 2013, Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Arab League Secretary General Nabil al-Arabi at the UN headquarters, New York.

　　Wang Yi expressed that the Chinese government under the new leadership attaches great importance to developing relations with Arab states as well as the Arab League and takes Arab states as a preferred partner. China supports Arab states for independently exploring the development path suited to their own national conditions and for actively promoting peace, stability and development of the Middle East region. The Chinese and Arabian sides are both developing countries and share extensive common interests and appeals. Both sides are now facing the task of rejuvenating the nation, developing the economy and improving people's livelihood. China is ready to work with the Arabian side to push for tangible outcomes in China-Arab collective cooperation.

　　Both sides also exchanged views on Syria, Palestine and other issues.

　　Wang Yi also attended the sixth ministerial conference of the Friends of Yemen Group the same day and expounded China's position.