China’s FM, Sisi discuss regional issues, further cooperation

CAIRO – 9 January 2020: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi expressed China’s keenness to enhance partnership with Egypt in all fields and to diversify and expand bilateral cooperation, as he met with President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in Cairo on Wednesday, the Presidency said.

The minister affirmed his country’s willingness for further cooperation, especially in light of Egypt’s strategic importance to the Middle East and Africa, and the economic development it witnesses under President Sisi, said presidential spokesman Bassam Radi.

He said he was keen to make Cairo his first stop during his current tour to Africa and the region.

Wang Yi affirmed that Egypt is considered a promising market for Chinese companies for investment, saying that China, therefore, reviews ways to boost trade exchange between the two countries.

President Sisi, for his part, referred to the integration of the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative with Egypt's development efforts, especially those related to the Suez Canal axis development project, as well as the development of the country's infrastructure, including ports and roads.

The Belt and Road Initiative was launched by the Chinese government to enhance trade, investments, and infrastructure in more than 150 countries in Asia, Europe, Middle East, Africa, and Latin America. The initiative is a revival to what was known as “The Silk Road.”

Sisi also expressed the aspiration to boost Chinese tourism flow to Egypt, and encourage Chinese companies to maximize their investments in Egypt, in light of the Egyptian state’s support to Chinese companies.

During the meeting attended also by Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, the two sides discussed developments in the Middle East, especially in light of the challenges facing the region.

The Chinese official, according to the presidential spokesman, hailed the pioneering Egyptian role in maintaining peace, security and stability in the region, especially through combating terrorism and extremism, and making efforts to achieve a political settlement for various crises.

They also reviewed developments in the Gulf and emphasized the importance of continued mutual coordination to achieve de-escalation and maintain security and safety of the Gulf.

With regard to the Libyan issue, Sisi stressed Egypt's support for the unity and stability of Libya, affirming the importance of working to resolve the current Libyan internal crisis, and put an end to the illegal international interference in its affairs.

In this regard, the two sides agreed that the recent escalation in Libya, concerning sending Turkish troops to Libya, endangers security and peace of the entire region.