Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher on Tuesday expressed belief that China can play an important role in ending the worsening situation in the occupied Palestinian territories.
"The Palestinian cause, among others, will top the agenda of President Hosni Mubarak's talks in China," Maher said in a statement, carried by Egypt's official MENA news agency.
He said that both Egypt and China stress the importance of finding an international breakthrough and a permanent solution to the Mideast conflicts that threaten the world peace and stability.
Mubarak will leave for China later in the day.
During the visit, leaders of the two countries will mull ways of expanding economic, trade, scientific and technological cooperation, because China has made remarkable progress in hi-tech and information technology, Maher said.
January 23, 2002)