The Egyptian foreign minister, Amr Moussa, has called for stronger economic ties with China.

The Chinese news agency Xinhua said he made the comment during talks in Cairo with his visiting Chinese counterpart, Tang Jiaxuan.

The agency said Mr Moussa also called for close coordination between the two countries in international affairs.

During separate talks with the Egyptian president, Hosni Mubarak, Mr Tang was quoted as saying that China was ready to boost long-term cooperation with Egypt.

Mr Tang is in Cairo for a three-day visit as part of an African tour which will also take him to Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Zambia.