Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping (R) meets with Egyptian Defense Minister Mohammed Hussein Tantawi in Beijing, capital of China, May 15, 2009. (Xinhua/Rao Aimin) Photo Gallery>>>

    BEIJING, May 15 (Xinhua) -- China is ready to expand cooperation with Egypt, said Vice President Xi Jinping Friday.

    "We have always supported and helped each other since forging diplomatic ties," Xi told Egyptian Defence Minister Mohammed Hussein Tantawi in Beijing.

    China and Egypt, with a long friendship, had increased exchanges and cooperation, Xi said, applauding Egypt's firm support for China on issues concerning Taiwan and human rights.

    Tantawi hailed the sound growth of Egypt-China relations.

    "We will work with China to push forward relations between the two armed forces and the two nations," he said.

    Tantawi conveyed Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak's greetings to Xi and President Hu Jintao.

    He arrived in Beijing on May 8 for an official visit as a guest of Chinese Defense Minister Liang Guanglie.