Leading Egyptian newspaper al-Ahram on Wednesday ran an editorial to hail Chinese President Hu Jintao's upcoming state visit to Egypt. 

"The historic visit will consolidate and deepen Egypt-China relations and bilateral cooperation in all fields," the editorial said.

"China, a country with a big population, has scored economic achievements over the past years and made a model for other countries," it said.

Highlighting China's fast growth in high-tech and information technology fields, the article underlined the need for Egypt to learn from China in terms of science and technology and attracting foreign investment to advance economic development.

It also praised China's firm stance on supporting the Arabs' efforts to restore their legitimate rights.

The Chinese leader will arrive from France on Thursday for a four-day state visit. Egypt is the second leg of his four-nation tour, which will also take him to Gabon and Algeria.

During Hu's visit to Egypt, the two countries are expected to sign accords on economic and technological cooperation, China's preferential loans to Egypt and an investment project in a special economic zone in Suez.

Chinese-Egyptian relations have fared well since the two countries developed a strategic and cooperative relationship in 1999.

"President Hu's upcoming visit to Egypt, a key strategic partner of China in the Arab world and Africa, will provide new opportunities for the growth of China-Egypt relations and China-Arab relations at large," Chinese Ambassador to Egypt Wu Sike told Xinhua on the eve of the trip. 

(Xinhua News Agency January 29, 2004)