BEIJING, July 12 (Xinhua) — China’s special envoy on the Middle East issue Sun Bigan will visit Egypt, Jordan, Palestine and Israel from July 14 to 21, Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang announced here Thursday.

    Sun is expected to confer various parties on the current situation in the Middle East, particularly on the Palestine-Israel issue, according to Qin.

    BEIJING, July 12 (Xinhua) — Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi held talks with his Malaysian counterpart Syed Hamid Albar here on Thursday, vowing to actively facilitate bilateral strategic cooperation.

    Hailing the progress in bilateral relations in the past years, Yang said China and Malaysia have strengthened political trust and achieved remarkable progress in trade cooperation.

    The two countries have also expanded exchanges in defense, education and technology areas as well as people-to-people contacts, he added.

    Yang appreciated the Malaysian government’s adherence to the one China policy, adding the Chinese government attaches great importance to relations with Malaysia and is ready to further promote bilateral cooperation.

    In response, Syed said his government values cooperation with China, pledging to promote exchanges with China in various fields including politics, economy, investment, education, tourism as well as people-to-people contacts.

    Malaysia is ready to enhance cooperation with China in international and regional issues, he said, adding his government sticks to the one China policy and opposes Taiwan authority’s attempt to seek membership in the United Nations in any form including its so-called referendum on UN membership.

    Syed is here on an official visit from July 9 to 13.

    BEIJING, July 12 (Xinhua) — President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov is to pay a state visit to China from July 17 to 18 as guest of Chinese President Hu Jintao.

    Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang made the announcement at a regular press briefing here Thursday.

    BEIJING, July 12 (Xinhua) — Macedonian Foreign Minister Antonio Milososki is to pay a working visit to China from July 17 to 20 at the invitation of his Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi.

    Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang announced this at a regular press briefing here Thursday.

    BEIJING, July 12 (Xinhua) — Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao met here Thursday with Malaysian Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar.

    MACAO, July 12 (Xinhua) — The Macao police have nabbed seven suspects for being allegedly involved in a loan shark case, local media reported Thursday.

    The Macao Post Daily quoted police sources as saying that the suspects, among whom is a customs officer, were believed to have operated the illegal business for over two years.

    The loan shark gang was believed to provide money for casino gamblers with “an interest rate” of 5 percent, the sources were cited.

    The suspects have been transferred to the Public Prosecution for further investigations and possible crime charges, according to the newspaper.