China Rejects Foreign Role In Solving Egypt Crisis

BEIJING (AP) - China is expressing concern over Egypt's ongoing political crisis but says it opposes attempts by outsiders to mediate between the parties.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu says Egypt is a major Arab and African country and its stability affects peace and stability in the whole region.

Ma, speaking at a regularly scheduled news conference Thursday, said China believes the affairs of Egypt should be decided independently by Egypt and foreigners should not seek to intervene.

China has close ties with the embattled Egyptian government and state media has closely censored reporting on the protests, which have drawn tens of thousands of people to demand the ouster President Hosni Mubarak.