Mubarak receives Chinese defence minister

Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak received yesterday Chinese Defence Minister Cao Gangchuan and his accompanying delegation, currently visiting Egypt.

The meeting was attended by Defence Minister Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi and the Chinese ambassador to Egypt.

The Chinese guest arrived in Egypt Friday leading a high- level military delegation on a four-day visit at the outset of African and European tours which will take him to Tanzania, the Netherlands and Denmark.

On Saturday, Cao Gangchuan and Tantawi had talks on the latest developments at the regional and international levels besides means of boosting bilateral relations in the military field.

Meantime, State Minister for Military Production Sayed Meshael arrived in Beijing yesterday with his accompanying delegation for a five-day visit to China invited by the Chinese government.

Egyptian ambassador to China Ali Hossam Eddin Hefni said Meshael will have talks with a number of top Chinese officials mainly Minister in Charge of National Defence Science,Technology and Industry Commission Zhang Yuchuan. A memo of understanding is expected to be signed during the visit on means of boosting cooperation between the two countries, he added.

The visit comes within the context of the relentless efforts by the two countries to put into effect a strategic cooperation protocol which was inked during President Hosni Mubarak's visit, 17 China in 1999, he added.