BEIJING, January 23 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Jiang Zemin started talks with Egyptian President Muhammed Hosni Mubarak here Wednesday afternoon, saying he believes that Mubarak's current visit to China is bound to further the existing strategic cooperative relations between the two countries and promote bilateral cooperation in various fields.

Jiang extended his welcome to Mubarak at the beginning of the talks, calling Mubarak as his "old friend", and said this is their fifth meeting.

Mubarak also said Jiang is his old friend, and expressed his thanks for Jiang's efforts for the development of bilateral cooperation.

Mubarak recalled his first visit to China in 1976 and said bilateral cooperation has continued to develop since then, adding that bilateral relations at present are stronger.

The talks are still going on at press time.

Before the talks, Jiang presided over a welcoming ceremony at the Great Hall of the People for Mubarak who is on his eighth visit to China. Mubarak arrived here earlier Wednesday for a state visit to China as Jiang's guest