Sisi welcomes convergence of Egyptian, Chinese positions on regional issues
Xi lauds Egypt’s efforts to promote peace, stability in ME, Africa
China committed to implementing comprehensive strategic partnership
President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi said that Egypt and China are committed to strengthening their comprehensive strategic partnership, particularly in industrial localisation, technology transfer and investment, as the two countries marked 70 years of diplomatic relations.
Speaking during talks with the Chinese President Xi Jinping at Al-Ittihadiya Palace on Wednesday, El-Sisi announced an agreement to launch the third phase of expansions of the Egyptian-Chinese industrial zone in the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZone), opening a new phase of co-operation in key sectors including renewable energy, automotive manufacturing, textiles and chemical fibres.
President Sisi welcomed Xi on his official visit to Egypt, describing it as a historic occasion coinciding with the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 1956. Egypt was the first Arab and African country to establish diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China, he noted.
The president said bilateral relations had developed significantly over the decades, culminating in the elevation of ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2014. This partnership, he added, enabled Egypt and China to play an active role in shaping international affairs amid rapid and significant changes in the international order.
President Sisi praised the progress achieved in Egyptian-Chinese relations across a wide range of fields, stressing the strong political will on both sides to expand bilateral co-operation, particularly in the areas of localising industry and transferring technology, which he said remained a priority for both countries.
Turning to regional developments, President Sisi said Egypt has been working to reduce tensions in the region and promote diplomatic solutions to crises in a manner that would contribute to peace and support development for the peoples of the region.
He welcomed the convergence of Egyptian and Chinese positions on regional issues of common concern and stressed Egypt’s readiness to continue coordinating with regional and international parties, particularly China as a major global power and permanent member of the UN Security Council.
Such coordination was needed to help reduce regional tensions, advance development efforts and address global challenges that could not be tackled by any single country, President Sisi said.
For his part, President Xi thanked President Sisi for the warm welcome and generous hospitality, stressing China’s strong appreciation of its expanding and wide-ranging co-operation with Egypt.
President Xi reaffirmed China’s commitment to implementing the comprehensive strategic partnership established in 2014 and expressed Beijing’s desire to take bilateral relations to broader horizons.
“China would also continue to encourage its companies to increase investment in Egypt and benefit from the country’s strategic location and market potential,” the Chinese president said.
He also highlighted continued co-operation and the transfer of expertise in infrastructure, energy, manufacturing and agriculture, saying such co-operation would strengthen bilateral ties and advance the two countries’ shared objectives.
The two leaders discussed a number of regional and international issues of mutual concern, stressing the need to prioritise diplomatic means in reaching comprehensive and sustainable settlements to crises and conflicts.
They also discussed efforts to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East and reaffirmed their support for efforts to reach a comprehensive agreement to end the war.
President Sisi stressed the priority of de-escalation, respect for the sovereignty, security and territorial integrity of the Gulf Co-operation Council states and Jordan. He reiterated the need to ensure freedom of navigation and protect regional peoples from the negative consequences of the crisis.
On the Palestinian issue, President Sisi stressed the importance of reaching a just settlement based on international legitimacy and highlighted Egypt’s efforts to advance the implementation of the second phase of the ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip.
He also stressed the importance of ensuring that sufficient humanitarian assistance reaches Gaza, particularly medical equipment and supplies, while praising China’s support for Palestinian rights and its backing of the two-state solution as the only path towards a just and lasting peace for Palestinians, Israelis and the wider region.
President Sisi also underscored the vital importance of the Nile to Egypt as its principal lifeline and reaffirmed the country’s legitimate right to safeguard its water and food security as well as its development interests.
He called on all Nile Basin countries to abide by international law, including the principle of avoiding harm to other states.
He stressed China’s keenness to strengthen coordination with Egypt at international forums and on regional and global issues of common concern, with the aim of supporting security and development and promoting the peaceful settlement of disputes.
President Xi also outlined China’s views on a number of regional and international issues, emphasising the importance of continued co-operation between the two countries to defend the interests of developing nations and strengthen their role in shaping the future international order.
The two presidents agreed to continue efforts to deepen bilateral relations and intensify consultations on issues of common concern.
Earlier in the day, President Sisi and First Lady Entissar El-Sisi received President Xi and his wife at Al-Ittihadiya Palace. The official reception included a cavalry display, a 21-gun salute, an honour guard and the national anthems of Egypt and China, followed by a commemorative photograph of the two presidents and their wives.
The talks were attended by delegations from both countries and were followed by the signing of an agreement and several memoranda of understanding.
A number of additional documents were also signed on the sidelines of Xi’s visit between Egyptian and Chinese institutions, while El-Sisi and the First Lady hosted a luncheon in honour of the Chinese president, his wife and the accompanying delegation.
