China's Premier Visits Cairo Ahead of China-Africa Summit

China's Premier Wen Jiabao is in Cairo, where he held talks with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in preparation for the China-Africa summit that begins Sunday in Sharm el-Sheikh.

The leaders of 49 African countries are gathering in the Egyptian Red Sea resort for a two-day meeting to discuss economic and political cooperation with China.

At their talks, Mr. Wen and Mr. Mubarak discussed ways to improve bilateral relations.

The Chinese leader also delivered a speech at the Arab League headquarters in Cairo. He spoke about ways to further enhance the friendly relations between China and the Arab world - and to promote the Middle East peace process.

At this second China-Africa summit, Mr. Wen is expected to offer African nations several billion dollars in credit and loans.

To feed China's appetite for raw materials, Chinese companies have invested billions of dollars in Africa. Trade between China and the continent also continues to grow.