CHINA: Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak meets China's leader Hu Jintao

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak met Chinese President Hu Jintao in Beijing on Tuesday (November 7). Egypt and China signed trade, commerce and communications agreements on Tuesday, paving the way to expand economic cooperation between the two countries. The agreements were signed by Egypt's Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit and Chinese counterpart Li Zhaoxing. Hosni Mubarak and Hu Jintao are expected to discuss bilateral relations and ways of peacefully solving the Midlle East crisis, including a resolution of the Palestinian issue. Mubarak arrived in Beijing on Friday(November 3) to attend the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, followed by the state visit to China. China and Africa ended an unprecedented summit Sunday(November 5), signing deals worth $1.9 billion and pledging to boost trade and development between the world's fastest-growing economy and its poorest continent China and Egypt maintained close and friendly relationships since Egypt, a leading Arab country, forged diplomatic ties with China 50 years ago. Prior to his visit to China, Mubarak visited Russia where he discussed prospects for economic cooperation and ways to increase it. He also discussed industrial cooperation, the energy sector and development of tourism. After talking to Russian President Vladimir Putin, Hosni Mubarak pledged to open a free economic zone in Egypt for Russian businessmen.

ITN Source | November 7, 2006

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