The military cooperation between China and Egypt will be further promoted with the joint efforts of the two armed forces, Liang Guanglie, chief of the General Staff of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), said in Beijing Tuesday.  

Liang, also a member of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks in a meeting with Commander of Egyptian Navy Tamer Aleem and his party.

Liang said the bilateral relations between China and Egypt have seen sound development since the two countries established diplomatic ties in 1956, and the two armed forces also enjoyed fruitful cooperation in recent years, with frequent high-level exchanges between their leaders.

Leaders of the Chinese army attach great importance to developing military relations with Egypt, Liang said.

Aleem said the Egyptian armed forces are willing to further strengthen exchanges and cooperation with the Chinese army in various fields.

Aleem arrived here Saturday to start his ten-day visit to China at the invitation of Zhang Dingfa, commander of the Chinese PLA Navy.

(Xinhua News Agency April 7, 2004)