BEIJING, Nov. 22 (Xinhuanet) -- The Third Sino-Egyptian Symposium began here Monday, highlighting bilateral relations and Middle East issues.

    About 30 officials and scholars from China and Egypt attended the two-day session, which included key-note speeches and questionand answer session.

    The symposium was a good opportunity for the two countries to deepen the understanding and beef up cooperation, said China's Assistant Foreign Minister Lu Guozeng, China would like to join hands with Egypt in safeguarding international and regional peace and stability.

    The symposium was held in accordance with the protocol signed by the Chinese and Egyptian foreign ministers in 1999 to promote the cooperation between the foreign affairs colleges in the two countries. Enditem