Some 60 Chinese journalists and scholars will travel overland on a cultural expedition to 20 Arabian countries, according to a press conference held in Beijing Wednesday.

 

Chen Haosu, president of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), said the participants of the expedition will bring Chinese friendship and good wishes to those they meet.

 

This year marks the 50 anniversary of the China-Arabia friendly cooperation, said Chen. The expedition, sponsored by CPAFFC and China-Arab Friendship Association, will help promote the China-Arabia non-government exchange activities and exert positive influence on the cooperation in the fields of culture, tourism, and economic and trade, he said.

 

The participants are expected to kick off the travel from the Chinese capital in mid October and arrive in the Sudanese capital of Khartoum in November 2006.

 

(Xinhua News Agency March 2, 2006)