Egypt seeks to strengthen ties with China in the years to come, said Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak during a talk with visiting Central Military Commission Vice Chairman Guo Boxiong.

Under new circumstances, the growth of strategic cooperative relations between Egypt and China is in the basic interests of both countries. It will also bring tangible benefits to the two peoples and help maintain regional and world peace and stability, Mubarak said.

The two countries enjoy a time-honored friendship that has withstood the test of time and the changing international situation, the president noted. Egypt and China have supported each other and engaged in mutually beneficial cooperation in a variety of areas since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1956.

Guo said Sino-Egyptian ties have strengthened since the two countries agreed to establish strategic cooperative ties in 1999, and President Hu Jintao's visit to Egypt early this year opened a new chapter in their relationship.

Guo noted that the Chinese People's Liberation Army considers the development of ties with the Egyptian army a matter of importance.

Mutual effort will enable the friendship and cooperation between the two countries and their armed forces to develop further, said Guo.

Egypt was the first Arab and African country to establish diplomatic ties with China.

Guo arrived in Cairo from Russia on Monday as part of a three-nation tour. He will travel next to South Africa.

(Xinhua News Agency July 16, 2004)