Visiting Chinese Defense Minister Cao Gangchuan spoke highly of the smoothly-developing relations between China and Egypt on Saturday.

"Under the auspices of the leaders of China and Egypt, the strategic cooperative relations between the two countries have witnessed steady development and the relations between the two militaries have also been strengthened," Cao told his Egyptian counterpart Mohammad Hussein Tantawi during their talks.

Cao, also vice chairman of China's top military body, the Central Military Commission, and a state councilor, praised Egypt for its support to China over major international issues. He expressed his appreciation for Egypt's support to China's enactment of the Anti-Secession Law.

"The Chinese government and the armed forces are willing to enhance exchanges and cooperation with the Egyptian side at all levels and in all domains," the Chinese minister said, "We hope we can further implement the common understandings reached by the highest leaders of the two countries and promote the friendly cooperative relations between the two militaries."

For his part, Tantawi noted the traditional friendship exists between the two countries, recalling a pleasant visit he paid to China last year.

"I was warmly received in China last year," Tantawi said, "During the visit, we reached many important common understandings and achieved positive progress."

"Egypt values its friendship with China," said Tantawi, adding that the Egyptian government will stick to the "one China" principle and support China's enactment of the Anti-Secession Law.

"We hope to further promote and deepen the friendly relations between the two sides in an all-out way," he added.

Cao arrived in Cairo on Friday on a five-day visit to Egypt as the first leg of a tour which will also take him to Tanzania, the Netherlands and Denmark.

(Xinhua News Agency April 10, 2005)