Chinese Vice Premier Wu Bangguo arrived in Cairo late Saturday for a six-day official visit at the invitation of Egyptian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture Youssef Wali.

Wu said in a written statement upon his arrival at Cairo International Airport that he will exchange views with Egyptian officials on ways to enhance bilateral ties, as well as regional and global issues of mutual concern.

The friendly, mutually beneficial and cooperative relations between China and Egypt have been "deeply rooted in various fields," he said, adding that the bilateral relations have entered a new phase of development since the latest meetings between the presidents of the two countries.

During his visit to China in April, 1999, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak signed a joint communique with Chinese President Jiang Zemin on the establishment of Sino-Egyptian strategic cooperative relations in the 21st century.

President Jiang met again with Mubarak in Egypt's Mediterranean port city of Alexandria last April, further promoting bilateral relations, Wu said.

The Chinese vice premier voiced hope that his visit will help promote the development of strategic cooperative relations between the two countries.

Wu has just concluded a three-day visit to Sudan. He will travel to Kuwait after his trip in Egypt.

(Xinhua 11/19/2000)