Egyptian Culture Minister Farouq Hosni on Saturday hailed China's great achievements in social and economic sectors and expected more bilateral cooperation in the economic and cultural fields.

He made the remarks while addressing the opening ceremony of a photo exhibition, "Chinese people's life through camera," held in Cairo Opera House.

The photo exhibition is aimed at reflecting the social and economic development in China and the life, work, leisure and entertainment of the ordinary people. It also highlights the 5,000- year Chinese civilization and the harmony among ethnic groups in China.

Hosni noted that the exhibition shows the Chinese people's new life and a rapidly-changing China, where the social and economic achievements are attracting worldwide attention.

"Egypt and China are both with long and brilliant culture and history," Hosni said, adding that Egypt welcomes more Chinese cultural and economic activities and expects more Egyptian-Chinese cooperation in the economic and cultural fields.

While touring the photo exhibition, Hosni told Xinhua that the exhibition is wonderful and he is keen on learning more about China through the exhibition.

For his part, Chinese ambassador to Egypt Wu Sike said in a speech that more and more Egyptian friends are observing the great changes in china and the status of the Chinese people's life.

"The exhibition is another effort to boost the bilateral exchange and cooperation, which provides a good platform for the Egyptian public to know more about China and the Chinese people's life," the Chinese ambassador noted.

The exhibition, which will last until Oct. 9, comprises about 160 photos taken by Chinese and oversea photographers.

(Xinhua News Agency September 30, 2007)