China and Egypt celebrated their 50 years of diplomatic ties Tuesday with a joint press communiqué, following talks between their heads of state in Beijing.

 

President Hu Jintao and visiting Egyptian President Mohammed Hosni Mubarak agreed to make concerted efforts to deepen bilateral strategic cooperative ties, expand cooperation and explore effective means of three-party cooperation between China, the Arab world and Africa in an effort to set up "a unique example" for South-South cooperation, the document said.

 

It said Hu accepted, with pleasure, Mubarak's invitation for him to visit Egypt.

 

The Egyptian side spoke highly of China's achievements in overall development and voiced support for China's efforts in promoting unity and cooperation among the developing countries. Egypt is willing to exert its own ability, experience and its unique status in the Arab and Islamic world and in Africa to help developing countries play an effective role in maintaining world order.

 

The two presidents agreed trade and investment are crucial in bilateral ties, adding that they will promote balanced development of trade and encourage more two-way investment flows.

 

China and Egypt will also enhance cooperation in agriculture, science and technology, finance, tourism, environment, medicine, energy, peaceful use of nuclear energy and many other areas.

 

The Egyptian side reiterated its adherence to the one-China policy and opposition to any forms of "Taiwan independence" or attempts to secede Taiwan from China.

 

The two sides agreed they should strive for peace in the Middle East on the basis of international law, relevant UN resolutions, the "land-for-peace" principle and the Arab peace initiative.

 

With the cooperation with Iraqi's new government and other relevant parties, they also express hope that a sound environment will be created for the Iraqi people to achieve national unity so as to maintain Iraq's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, said the document.

 

The two sides condemn all forms of terrorism and are dedicated to enhancing existing cooperation in anti-terrorism, it said. They expressed concern over the nuclear test in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and over the Korean Peninsular situation, and hoped all parties concerned handle the issue through sensible and peaceful means, avoid use of violence or sanctions in order to ensure a nuclear-free peninsular.

 

The communiqué also spelt out hopes for greater representation of the developing nations, African countries in particular, at the United Nations Security Council.

 

Mubarak arrived in China Friday for a ninth visit to China and for the historic Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation that concluded on Sunday afternoon.

 

(Xinhua News Agency November 7, 2006)