Chinese media highlight forthcoming visit of Beijing

President Mubarak will visit China from Jan 23-26 upon official invitation from Chinese Leader Jiang Zemin.

Sun Youshe, the spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry said President Mubarak will have talks with Chinese President Jiang Zemin and Senior Chinese leaders on means of boosting strategic relations in the common good of both countries.

Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan visited Egypt at the end of December to prepare for President Mubarak's visit to China.

He also had talks with President Mubarak and Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher on ways of boosting relations between the two countries.

During his last visit to China in 1999, President Mubarak and President Zemin have agreed on initiating a partnership agreement between the two countries.

Chinese papers highlighted news on the visit and the role played by President Mubarak in the Mideast peace process at both regional and international levels.

They asserted that Egyptian Chinese cooperation will be the main topic of talks between President Mubarak and Chinese leaders.