China and Africa look forward to deepening cooperation in various fields, especially science and technology, industry, agriculture and environment, said Egyptian and Chinese officials at a science and technology expo, which opened in Cairo Thursday.

In the opening ceremony of China Exhibition on Innovative Technologies and Products in Egypt, Minister of Higher Education and the State for Scientific Research of Egypt, Dr. Hani Hillal, said that his country reaffirms the support for scientific and technological cooperation between China and Africa.

"China exhibition is an important forum to know more about the progress China has reached in scientific and technological fields, and it is also an important forum for the convergence of scientists and researchers with the men from industry and innovation," Hillal added.

"Egyptian-Chinese relations are steadily growing and several weeks ago Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao opened the 4th ministerial conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC)," said Magid George, Egypt's Minister of State for the Environment.

George said that the expo is an important event to present Chinese technology to African and Arab countries because China is considered a leading nation in development, expressing hope that the exhibition will provide an opportunity for the countries to get acquainted with progress in technology and innovation amid great challenges.

This exhibition is held in line with the eight measures announced by Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao during the 4th ministerial conference of FOCAC held last month in Sharm el-Sheikh to promote technological cooperation between China and Africa, said Special Representative of the Chinese Minister of Science and Technology Zheng Guoan, noting that it could transfer technological expertise and experience to African countries.

"This exhibition is part of a technological partnership program aimed at strengthening China-Africa relationship and helping African countries raise the technological capability," he added.

The Chinese Ambassador in Cairo, Wu Chunhua, pointed out that China is the largest developing country in the world and Africa has the most developing countries in the world, stressing that such cooperation would benefit both sides.

"This exhibition is a good platform and mechanism to achieve mutual understanding between China and Africa," he added.

The China Exhibition on Innovative Technologies and Products in Cairo, held from December 3 to 5, is cosponsored by the Ministry of Science and Technology of China and the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research of Egypt and organized by China Science and Technology Exchange Center and the Torch High Technology Industry Development Center.

The event aims at promoting science and technology and trade flow between China and Egypt as well as other African countries, and boosting the mutual understanding and friendship between the Chinese and African people.

Representatives from nearly 150 research institutes, universities, producers and science and technology agencies from 19 Chinese provinces attended the exhibition.