The Chinese armed forces are willing to advance cooperation with Egypt, Chinese Defense Minister Liang Guanglie said Monday in Beijing.

Liang, also a state councilor, made the remarks when meeting with his Egyptian counterpart Mohammed Hussein Tantawi.

"China and Egypt have enjoyed deep traditional friendship. Political mutual trust between our two countries remains unchanged since we forged diplomatic ties in 1956," Liang said.

He said cooperation in the fields of politics, economics, culture and military affairs had been fruitful.

He said the Chinese armed forces were willing to extend their ties with Egypt and promote communication and cooperation between the two armed forces.

Tantawi said the Sino-Egyptian constructive cooperation had developed smoothly in various fields. Egypt hoped to deepen military cooperation with China.

Tantawi arrived in Beijing on Friday for an official goodwill visit as a guest of Liang.

(Xinhua News Agency May 11, 2009)