At the invitation of Chinese Defense Minister Cao Gangchuan, Egyptian Minister of Defense and Military Production, Feild Marshal Mohammed Hussein Tantawi takes an official good- will visit to China from September 19 to 24, 2004. 

During his visit in China, Tantawi met Guo Boxiong, vice-chairman of the Chinese Central Military Commission and  Cao Gangchuan, Chinese Defense Minister. 

Guo Boxiong told Tantawi that the friendship between the people of China and Egypt had a long history, the Sino-Egyptian relations were close and military cooperation was fruitful. The Chinese military force attaches great importance to its relations with Egyptian armed forces and is ready to enhance exchange and cooperation in all fields so as to contribute more to the further development of the strategic cooperative ties between the two countries. Guo Boxiong also briefed Tantawi on China's domestic economic development, army building as well as the just concluded Fourth Plenum of 16th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China.  

Tantawi said Egypt and China and their armies share a long- standing history of contact and the Egyptian side hopes to further increase cooperation with Chinese side in military sphere.  

Cao Gangchuan told Tantawi that the Chinese armed forces attaches great importance to its military ties with the Egyptian army, and is willing to enhance exchanges and cooperation between the two sides in various fields. Cao Gangchuan said the Chinese and Egyptian people enjoy profound traditional friendship. The two countries have conducted sound cooperation in various fields since the establishment of diplomatic relations 48 years ago. Cao Gangchuan also briefed the guests on China's stance on the Middle East and international issues, China's domestic construction, army construction and the Fourth Plenum of 16th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China.  

Tantawi said the two armies have many similarities and the Egyptian side is willing to enhance exchanges and cooperation with the Chinese army. Tantawi spoke highly of China's stance on resolving the Taiwan issue, noting that Egypt will unswervingly adhere to the one-China policy.