The present invention relates to a new, simple, and easy process for preparing cephalosporin antibiotics of the following formula (I), such as ceftazidime and cefixime. The process comprises acylating a 7-amino cephalosporanic acid derivative of the following formula (III) with a crystalline aminothiazole compound of the following formula (II): wherein R1 and R2 are the same or different and independently represent H, a C1-4 alkyl or C3-5 cycloalkyl group, R4 represents acetoxymethyl, methylpyridine, or vinyl, X represents chlorine or bromine, and the acid in the acid addition salt represents an inorganic acid, such as hydrochloric acid, or an organic acid, such as formic acid or acetic acid.