Chinese foreign minister Tang Jiaxuan is now on a key mission to expand Beijing's sphere of influence in the Middle East and Africa, cultivate new friends and work for a multipolar world, they said, commenting on Tang's ongoing tour of Egypt, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Zambia.

This was clearly evident from the foreign minister's statement in Cairo, his first stop when he said: ``We are firm in opposing hegemonism, safeguarding world peace and are working hard for the establishment of a just and rational new international political and economic order.''

In a message to win the plaudits of Arab nations, Tang voiced China's opposition to the use of force in dealing with international affairs, a clear reference to the recent US-led air attack on Iraq, which was stronglycondemned by China.

The analysts said China wants to strengthen its ties with Egypt, a key player in the Middle East. By boosting ties with Cairo, Beijing hopes to get a firm foothold in the region.

China has identified the Middle East as the weakest point in US foreign policy, one analyst said adding, ``With a little help from a former superpower, Russia, Beijing hopes to play a leading role in this strategic region.''