At the invitation of Egyptian Prime Minister Nazef, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao left Beijing by special plane on the morning of November 6 for an official visit to Egypt. Following his visit to Egypt, Wen will also attend the opening ceremony of the fourth ministerial meeting of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in the Egyptian resort of Sharm el-Sheikh on Nov. 8.

Premier Wen's entourage includes Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, Chairman of China's National Development and Reform Commission Zhang Ping, Minister of Commerce Chen Deming, Director of the Research Office of the State Council Xie Fuzhan, Vice Secretary-General of the State Council and Director of the Premier's Office Qiu Xiaoxiong and Assistant Foreign Minister Zhai Jun.