Egypt's Desert Research Centre (DRC) President Hosam Shawky met on Wednesday with a delegation from China's Hubei Provincial Science and Technology Department to discuss new scientific cooperation, including joint research labs and expert exchange programmes. Talks focused on setting up laboratories to study desertification, drought and salinity, issues central to Egypt's water and agriculture strategy. The Chinese delegation said Hubei's universities and research institutes are recognised as global leaders in these fields, according to a statement from the Egyptian ministry of agriculture. The two sides also explored opportunities for collaboration between Egyptian and Chinese universities and research centres to advance work on sustainable land and water management. Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English Subediting: Y.Yasser