Talks between Mubarak and Zemin deal with regional and international issues
Egypt-China, Politics, 1/22/2002

Egyptian President Mubarak Wednesday starts an official visit to Beijing, the first one after signing the strategic cooperation agreement with China in 1999 during Mubarak's previous visit.

Mubarak's talks with Chinese President Jiang Zemin will focus on current positions at the regional and international scenes mainly the situation in the Middle East, central Asia, the latest developments in Afghanistan, the situation in southern Asia and Indian Pakistani relations.

Talks between the two leaders will also deal with ways of bolestering bilateral relations with a special emphasis on the economic and technological aspects

The two leaders will hold an expanded session of talks attended by the Egyptian and Chinese delegations upon President Mubarak's arrival in the Chinese capital.

The Chinese leader will host a dinner banquet in honour of President Mubarak and his accompanying delegation.

On Thursday, President Mubarak will attend the Egyptian Chinese business forum during which the establishment of the Egyptian Chinese businessmen council would be announced.

President Mubarak will meet Chinese Prime Minister Zhu Rongji, Speaker of the parliament Lee Yang as well as the speaker of the Political Consultative Council.

On Friday President Mubarak will visit the valley of technology in its capacity as a model of the sophisticated techniques in technology, tourism and environment protection.

A framework agreement was signed on January 13 between Mubarak's science city and the Chinese valley of technology.

President Mubarak's talks with President Jiang Zemin will cover promoting bilateral relations, especially in the economic and technological fields, said Egypt's ambassador in Beijing Ali Hosam Al Din Al Hafni on Monday.

Speaking to the Egyptian reporters in Beijing, he said situation in the Mideast region, Afghanistan, South Asia in addition to the Indian-Pakistani relations will be on the top of Mubarak's agenda in China.

He added that this is the first visit by Mubarak to China after the signing of the strategic agreement between them in 1999.

"Egypt has supported China in its entry into the World Trade Organization (WTO)," the diplomat said.

On the itinerary of Mubarak's visit to China, to start Wednesday, he said Jiang will lead senior officials welcoming Mubarak at the airport then the two leaders will hold a plenary session grouping the members of the two delegation On Friday, President Mubarak will visit Chin Tin area in Guangdong City in south China. The city is a one-hour train trip from the capital.

The Chin Tin area was a small village for fishermen in 1979 and was inhabited by 80,000 people but then it turned into a modern city populated by four million persons.

The ambassador expressed hope that the coming period will witness more cooperation between China and Egypt in the scientific and technological fields.

Head of the Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs Ambassador Mohamed Ibrahim Shaker Monday underscored the importance of the visit to China on Wednesday by President Hosni Mubarak.

In statements to MENA, Shaker said the visit asserts the importance of strategic cooperation between the two countries.

"Egypt appreciates China for its stances and considers it as a super power that does not request a political price for its stances or relations with world countries. China does not seek hegemony nor interference in the domestic affairs of other nations," he added.

He referred to the economic progress realized by China, saying that the GNP average between 1989 and 2000 reached 9.7 percent, adding that the volume of trade reached $ 474 billion in the year 2000, while direct foreign investment between 1996 and 1999 registered some126 billion.

"Following the President's visit to China, a Chinese delegation of experts from the institute of foreign relations will arrive in Cairo on January 27 on a week-long visit at the invitation of the Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs," he pointed out.

Suzanne Mubarak addresses Beijing Social Studies Academy

Mrs. Suzanne Mubarak, wife of President Hosni Mubarak will give a lecture at the Social Studies Academy in Beijing on Thursday.

Mrs. Suzanne Mubarak will accompany President Mubarak on his official visit to China.

Egypt's Ambassador to China Ali Hefni said the academy is one of the largest at the world level in the field of social studies and feminist activity.

Minister of Tourism Mamdouh A1 Beltagui said on Monday that Egypt and China will sign a memorandum of understanding on enhancing Chinese tourist influx into Egypt.

Beltagui, in an interview with the Chinese "Al-Shaab" newspaper, added that the signing ceremony will be held during the visit of President Hosni Mubarak to China.

"Also, the two sides will sign during a number of agreements on cooperation in the various domains," he noted.

"The visit by President Mubarak to China is the eighth of its kind since he assumed power," added Beltagui.

Previous Stories:
  China hails Egypt's role in the peace process   (1/21/2002)
  Commercial relations between Egypt and China witnessed much development   (1/21/2002)
  Mubarak's visit to China great event, Chinese president   (1/21/2002)
  Delegation of Egyptian businessmen to head China   (1/16/2002)
  Mubarak's talks in China to cover economic cooperation   (12/6/2001)
  Egypt - China boost cooperation in oil domain   (2/17/2001)

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