Cairo: Chinese President Xi Jinping is set to begin an official visit to Egypt on Tuesday for talks with his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on strengthening bilateral cooperation and regional and international issues. The Egyptian presidency announced that Sisi would host Xi during the Chinese leader's visit, although it did not specify the visit's duration.
According to Anadolu Agency, the visit aims to enhance political, economic, and developmental cooperation and review the implementation of the comprehensive strategic partnership agreement signed between the two countries in 2014. The discussions between the two leaders are expected to cover a range of regional and international issues of mutual concern.
In an article published Tuesday in Egyptian state-run newspapers Al-Ahram, Al-Akhbar, and Al-Gomhouria, Xi stated that relations between China and Egypt were currently at their 'best period in history' following 70 years of friendship. He advocated for a deeper comprehensive strategic partnership, expanded high-quality cooperation under China's Belt and Road Initiative, and stronger cultural exchanges and closer China-Arab and China-Africa cooperation.
Sisi, in a piece published by Al-Ahram, expressed agreement with Xi, noting that an expansion of armed conflicts would not benefit any regional or international party. Xi's visit to Egypt is part of an overseas tour running from August 30 to September 3, marking his first visit to the country in a decade. Over the years, bilateral trade between China and Egypt has surged to more than $10 billion.
The visit coincides with a period of deepening military cooperation between the two nations. Recently, their air forces conducted joint drills named 'Eagles of Civilisation' in Egypt, featuring Chinese J-16 fighter jets and Egyptian Rafale aircraft, among other military assets. Egypt holds a significant position as the first Arab and African country to establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China in 1956. The two countries elevated their ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership in December 2014.