China hosts Egypts Sisi Cairo, Beijing begin new era of strategic relations Ashraf Sadek - Cairo Egypts President Abdel Fattah El Sisi met with Chinas leader Xi Jinping on Tuesday on the second day of a visit that seeks to deepen multi-faceted economic and diplomatic ties between Cairo and Beijings. President Sisi said that he hoped his trip would bring trade and investment to shore up Egypts economy through the signing up of 25 co-operation agreements on agriculture, transportation, the industry and other areas. Chinese President Xi told President Sisi that China placed tremendous value on this visit. It is hoped this visit will further increase our mutual understanding and trust, promote greater co-operation and exchanges between our two countries, bring new vitality to bilateral relations and open a new chapter in friendly contacts, President Xi told President Sisi following an official welcoming ceremony that was held at the Great Gall of the People. President Sisi responded by terming Egyptian-Chinese ties as a strategic relationship he hoped to enhance with his meetings in Beijing. President Sisi has also met with more than 70 heavy-weight Chinese business leaders. It is Mr. Sisis first first state visit to the Far East since becoming president last June, underscoring Chinas importance as one of five permanent members of the UN Security Council and as a vital source of trade and investment. The visit is also seen as part of a re-orientation of Egyptian foreign policy away from a heavy focus on the US. President Sisi was preceded to Beijing by a delegation of Egyptian ministers and business leaders who discussed investment projects with 200 Chinese counterparts. The Sisi-Xi talks touched on a host of regional and international issues of bi-lateral interests, said Egyptian Presidential Spokesperson Allaa Youssef. There is an understanding from both sides that we have to work together to promote Egyptian-Chinese co-operation ties in all domains, he said according to the Egyptian TV. According to Mr. Youssef, President Sisi had extended and official invitation to President Xi to visit Egypt. Investment and scientific research were the vital areas Presidents Sisi and Xi identified for co-operation, and the Chinese Chinese also pledged support for a Suez development zone. During the visit, Cairo and Beijing were set to sign investment-oriented agreements, Mr. Youssef said, adding President Sisis visit aimed at attracting more Chinese investments in Egypt. Presidents Sisi and Xi discussed ways for pushing Egyptian-Chinese economic and trade relations to a unique height through consultation and co-ordination in regional and international affairs. Egypt and China had shown great interest in deepening and expanding their strategic partnership and the Cairo and Beijing governments would actively work at it, President Sisi said. President Sisi stressed that he aimed to use his visit to greatly improve Egyptian-Chinese co-operation in what he termed priority fields, and strengthen the special political relations between the two nations. I am full of confidence and optimism over future Egyptian-Sino relations, he told a meeting with Chinese business leaders. Egypt welcomes more investment from China, as Egypt, blessed with a unique geographical position, had been trying to improve its investment climate. We have made lots of economic reforms. We give great interest to Chinese investments, he told the meeting, adding that his visit would mark the beginning of a new era for the relations between Egypt and China in all fields. President Sisi said that development of a long standing Egyptian-Chinese friendship should be credited to the fact that the two countries relations were based on equality, mutual respect and reciprocity. I am saying again that I am looking toward the future of Egyptian-Chinese relations with full confidence and optimism, President Sisi said, adding that his Beijing visit would also be a good opportunity for Egypt to examine and learn about Chinas valuable experience in development and economic growth.
Posted on: Tue, 23 Dec 2014 12:29:58 +0000
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