Mubarak probes with Chinese Foreign Minister latest international developments
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak meets with Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan who starts a three-day official visit to Egypt later Tuesday.
Mubarak's talks with the Chinese Minister will cover the latest developments in the Middle East, the possibility of resuming the peace process, fighting terrorism and bilateral relations.
On Wednesday, Tang meets with Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa and Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher.
The volume of trade exchange between China and the Arab states rose from $ two billion in 1993 to $ seven billion in 2000.
The Arab group became China's seventh largest trade partner with the advent of 21st century.
Meanwhile, Moussa sent a congratulatory cable to the Chinese State Council on the occasion of the setting up of the Chinese Arab friendship society.
Moussa said this society will certainly help promote the Arab-Chinese relations especially at this time which requires more cooperation and dialogue between the Arab League and China.
On the other hand, Chinese Foreign Minister voiced pleasure to visit Egypt and meet President Hosni Mubarak who shares friendly ties with the Chinese leadership.
In press statements upon arrival late Tuesday, Jiaxuan said that the aim of the visit is to prepare for Mubarak's visit to China in January.
He added that China is interested in Mubarak's visit and voiced readiness to discuss with Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher the situation on the international arena as well as the situation in the Middle East and issues of mutual interest.
Jiaxuan said that talks with Maher will also tackle outcome of his Arab tour that took him to Syria, Lebanon and Jordan.
On his part, Maher described Egyptian-Chinese ties as strong, deeply rooted and constantly growing. He welcomed Jiaxuan's visit and said he is looking forward to meeting with the top Chinese diplomat.
The world is undergoing a critical stage and the Middle East experiences difficult conditions, said Maher. He added that Egyptian-Chinese cooperation could help in bringing peace, and security to the region and the whole world.
China is a partner to Egypt as far as world peace and security were concerned, said Maher. He appreciated Chinese pro-Arab and Palestine stances.
Meanwhile, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue on Tuesday described the scheduled visit to China by President Mubarak this coming January as very important in such a timing, noting that China was looking forward to the visit and hoped it would have positive results for the two countries.