Xi Jinping Meets with President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi of Egypt

On April 25, 2019, President Xi Jinping met with President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi of Egypt at the Great Hall of the People.

Xi Jinping emphasized that as Egypt is the rotating chair of the African Union, Mr. President's attendance at the second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in China not only reflected Egypt's sincere willingness to actively participate in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), but also represented the common call of African countries for mutual benefit, win-win results and common development. The Chinese side attaches great importance to developing its relations with Egypt. The two sides should strengthen political mutual trust, and continue to support and coordinate with each other on issues involving respective core interests and major concerns. The Chinese side has always supported Egypt in exploring a development path that is in line with its national conditions. The Chinese side is willing to actively participate in the Suez Canal Corridor development plan and continue to advance cooperation in fields including the construction of the Suez Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone, production capacity and infrastructure construction. The Chinese side will also set up Luban Workshops in Egypt to provide vocational training for young Egyptians. The two sides should deepen anti-terrorism and security cooperation and continue to enhance people-to-people and cultural exchanges. China thanks African people for their trust in China and supports the African peace, security and sustainable development initiative as well as Africa's integration progress. The Chinese side is willing to work with the Egyptian side to enhance trilateral cooperation toward Africa and jointly promote infrastructure construction in Africa.

Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi extended warm congratulations on the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. Egypt is the first Arab country to establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China. Today, Egypt is willing to learn from China's successful experience in development, align the country's development plan with the great Belt and Road Initiative, and deepen cooperation in a wide range of fields. Egypt is committed to deepening Africa-China friendly cooperative relations. The Egyptian side speaks highly of the Chinese side's efforts in upholding justice in the Middle East issue, and hopes the Chinese side will continue to play a constructive role.

Ding Xuexiang, Yang Jiechi, Wang Yi and He Lifeng attended the meeting.