Maher meets first Chinese Middle East envoy

Egypt's Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher met on Thursday with Wang Chi Geh, the first Chinese envoy to Middle East, to compare notes on the latest developments in the region and efforts exerted to resume the peace process.

Following the meeting, Wang, who was appointed by his government last September, said in statements that China would enhance cooperation with Egypt to put the regional peace process back on track, as Mideast peace contributed to world stability and security.

China, as a permanent member state of the UN Security Council, has a responsibility towards realizing peace in the Middle East, he said, adding that Beijing was seeking stronger cooperation with Arab countries in this regard.

Following his meeting with the Chinese envoy, Egyptian Presidential Political Advisor Osama Al-Baz said Egypt deems China's sending a Middle East peace envoy a positive step, especially in view of China's position as an influential major power.

Egypt is convinced that China can play a greater role at the international level, not just as a Security Council permanent member, but also as a huge cultural entity.

China is the closest major state to third world peoples, he added. The Chinese envoy's visit to Egypt is his first stop in a maiden tour that will also take him to the Palestinian territories, Israel, Lebanon, Syria and Jordan.