Chinese President in Alexandria for Talks with Mubarak

Chinese president Jiang Zemin Meets Egyptian Counterpart Hosni Mubarak.

Chinese President Jiang Zemin arrived in Egypt's Mediterranean port city Alexandria on Monday from Tel Aviv, Israel, for a special meeting with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.

During his one-day stay, Jiang will hold talks with Mubarak on international and regional issues of common concern, especially the Middle East peace process, and ways of further promoting bilateral relations.

The Chinese president was greeted at the airport by Egyptian Prime Minister Atef Obeid and other high-ranking officials. Chinese Ambassador to Egypt An Huihou and Embassy and Consulate staff were at the airport to welcome Jiang.

Mubarak held a grand welcoming ceremony at the Ras el-Tinne Palace near the seaside of the Mediterranean for the Chinese president before the two leaders began their special meeting.

In a written speech issued at the airport, Jiang said he has been looking forward to meeting with Mubarak to exchange views on issues of common concern. He expressed his belief that the meeting will help promote the friendly bilateral cooperation.

China and Egypt are world-known ancient civilizations, and the peoples of the two countries have enjoyed a long history of friendship, Jiang said.

He said that Alexandria was the first African city ever introduced to the Chinese in ancient times, and that as early as in China's Han Dynasty 120 B.C., the envoys sent by the Chinese government already arrived in the city.

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations, China and Egypt have forged sincere and sound ties on the basis of mutual respect and mutual benefit, and have carried out fruitful cooperation in the fields of politics, economy and culture, as well as in international affairs, Jiang noted.

He stressed that the joint communique on the establishment of Sino-Egyptian strategic cooperative relations signed during Mubarak's visit to China last year set up the framework for development of bilateral ties in the future.

Egypt is an important country in the Arab world and African region, and plays a special role in regional and world affairs, Jiang said.

Jiang paid a state visit to Egypt in 1996, while Mubarak has visited China seven times. During Mubarak's last visit to China, the two countries agreed to forge a strategic partnership.

Jiang made this special trip to Alexandria to meet Mubarak following visits to Israel and Palestine within a five-nation tour. He will travel on to visit Turkey, Greece and South Africa.