Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak praised the progress China has
made in the development of its relations with both Arab world and
Africa during talks with visiting Chinese President Hu Jintao in
Cairo Thursday evening.?
Mubarak noted that the China-Africa Cooperation Forum plays an
important role in the promotion of China's relations with
Africa.
President Hu said China has always regarded Egypt as a key
cooperation partner in the Arab world and Africa, highly valuing
its role in both regional and international affairs.
"Egypt enjoys a crucial status in the Arab world, and I believe
the development of Sino-Egyptian relationship of strategic
cooperation will have a positive impact on the development of the
relations between China and other Arab countries," the Chinese
leader told a joint press conference after the talks.
Hu said during the talks that China and Egypt have scored
remarkable achievements in their relations particularly after his
predecessor Jiang Zemin and President Mubarak jointly made an
appeal for the establishment of a bilateral relationship of
strategic partnership in 1999.
In order to promote the China-Egypt relationship, Hu proposed to
maintain frequent exchanges of visits by high-level officials of
the two countries as well as other forms of contacts so as to
enhance mutual understanding and expand common ground.
He also urged to forge closer economic and trade links, in
sectors including communications, pharmaceuticals, agriculture,
oil, subway transportation and aviation, and to promote cooperation
in such fields as culture, education, tourism and journalism.
In addition, the Chinese president called for further
coordination and cooperation on regional and international
issues.
Mubarak said he agreed to Hu's proposals on promoting
bilateralties, and he was confident that President Hu's visit will
boost the political and economic links between his country and
China and bring bilateral ties into a new stage of development.
The Chinese President arrived in the Egyptian capital from
France on Thursday for a four-day state visit. Egypt is the second
leg of Hu's four-nation tour, which will also take him to Gabon and
Algeria.
(Xinhua News Agency January 31, 2004)