Chinese President Hu Jintao (R) holds a welcoming ceremony for Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Nov. 7, 2006. (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery >>>

    BEIJING, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao and Egyptian President Mohammed Hosni Mubarak Tuesday pledged to further strengthen bilateral strategic cooperative relations as the two countries are celebrating 50-year-old official ties.

    The two leaders said they are satisfied with the great progress of their relations over the past five decades and agreed to enhance political relations, economic and trade cooperation and cultural exchanges, and improve coordination in international and regional affairs.

    Calling China-Egypt relations "good example" of South-South cooperation, Hu said Chinese and Egyptian peoples have always supported each other and shared deep trust in the their struggle for national sovereignty and economic development.

    Hu especially extolled Mubarak's efforts in promoting to bilateral relations, saying Mubarak, a "close friend" of the Chinese people, who had deep friendship with several generations of Chinese leaders, has made "outstanding" contributions to the development of China-Egypt ties.

    Mubarak arrived in China last Friday for a ninth visit to China and for a historic Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation.

    Hu also highlighted bilateral trade, saying the two should join hands to tap economic cooperation potential, especially in fields of telecommunications, transportation and textile.

    Mubarak said the relationship between Egypt and China has developed continuously and entered the best period in history. Egypt attaches great importance to developing economic and trade cooperation with China, he said, adding it is looking forward to strengthening cooperation in the fields of investment, trade, tourism and human resources.

    On Sino-African relations, Hu said China and African countries are sincere friends and close brothers. The Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) is a milestone in China-Africa mutually beneficial cooperation and will have a special impact in the history of Sino-African relationship, he said.

    Egypt is China's important strategic and cooperative partner in the Arabian world, in the continent of Africa and in the developing countries, Hu said, adding that China will keep close contacts with Egypt to implement the results achieved at the Beijing Summit and make preparations for the fourth Ministerial Meeting of FOCAC which will be held in Egypt in 2009.

    Mubarak said the Beijing Summit was a success and the development Africa-China relationship is very important, noting Egypt is willing to cooperate with China to push forward the healthy development of this relationship.

    Mubarak introduced the situation of Middle East and Egypt's viewpoints on the issue.

    Hu said China will always stand on the side of Arabian people, and advocates to settle the issue through political negotiations based on relevant UN resolutions.

    China is willing to make concerted efforts with Egypt for the early realization of peace and stability in the Middle East, Hu added.

    Mubarak arrived in Beijing on Friday for a state visit to China and for the two-day landmark Beijing Summit which concluded on Sunday.