Welcoming the Egyptian leader, President Xi said President Sisi’s ongoing visit to China would contribute to strengthening distinguished bilateral ties between the two countries, especially with regard to joint development co-operation, Presidency Spokesman Ambassador Bassam Radi said.
He added that the Chinese leader praised what he described as ‘positive developments’ in the comprehensive strategic partnership between Egypt and China at all levels, especially in the economic and trade fields.
The Chinese leader also praised strengthening communications and political consultations between the two countries on regional and international issues, Ambassador Radi said.
He added that President Xi stressed the special importance his country attaches to relations with Egypt, thanks to the pivotal role of the Arab country in the Middle East, Africa and the Eastern Mediterranean.
President Sisi, for his part, said Egypt is keen on building on the momentum created by the regular meetings of Egyptian and Chinese officials to enhance co-operation and coordination with the Asian country in all fields.
Egypt, he said, is especially interested in pushing its relations with China forward in development, economic and trade fields.
Egypt also wants to attract more investments from China, the Egyptian leader said.
In doing this, he added, Egypt would be capitalising on promising investment opportunities currently available in Egypt in various sectors, taking into account the good reputation of Chinese companies in the Egyptian market.
President Sisi described Chinese companies as one of the most important sources of foreign direct investment and advanced technological expertise in a number of Egyptian economic sectors.
President Sisi and President Xi discussed means of enhancing current co-operation between their two countries in a number of fields, including scientific research and the transfer of technology, especially in pharmaceutical industries, Ambassador Radi said.
He added that the two leaders also discussed the transfer of Covid-19 vaccine technologies to Egypt as well as industrial technologies.
He noted that the two leaders also discussed means of strengthening co-operation in the fields of communications, information technology, and electric cars, as well as maximising co-operation and coordination between healthcare providers in the two countries to transfer Chinese experiences in the fight against Covid-19.
He added that the two leaders also reviewed joint projects in various fields and the progress made on their implementation.
President Sisi and President Xi also agreed on the importance of the role of the Suez Canal Economic Zone in promoting China’s Belt and Road initiative and supporting the achievement of its desired goals, especially through the Egyptian-Chinese economic zone and trade co-operation between the two countries, Ambassador Radi said.
He quoted President Sisi as saying that trade co-operation with China pushes Egypt’s efforts to exploit the important strategic location of the Suez Canal Corridor on the road to turning this corridor into a global logistical and economic centre.
Ambassador Radi noted that talks between the Egyptian and Chinese leaders dwelt on a wide range of other issues, including regional and international issues of common interest, Ethiopia’s Nile dam, Palestine, Libya, Syria and Yemen.
President Sisi also met a host of other world leaders on the sidelines of the dinner party President Xi held for heads of state and officials participating in the opening of the Winter Olympics.
These leaders included Pakistani Prime Minister, Imran Khan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince, Mohamed bin Zayed, Qatari Emir, Tamim bin Hamad, and United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, Ambassador Radi said.
