TIANJIN, China, August 30 (MENA) – Chinese President Xi Jinping reaffirmed China’s support for Egypt’s efforts to preserve its sovereignty, expressing appreciation for the Egyptian stance on the “One China” policy.
He also confirmed his backing for the continued presence of Chinese companies in the Egyptian market and their expanding investments and expressed support for joint development and production plans in renewable energy, electric vehicles, and energy project components.
This came during a meeting at the Tianjin Guesthouse between President Xi and Egypt’s Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, who is current visiting China to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Plus summit on behalf of President Abdel Fattah El Sisi. The meeting was attended by Egypt’s Ambassador to China Khaled Nazmy, a number of Chinese ministers and the Chinese ambassador to Egypt.
At the outset of the meeting, President Xi asked Madbouly to convey his greetings to President Sisi, praising Egypt’s membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization as the first Arab and African nation to join.
Xi highlighted that next year will mark the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Egypt, celebrating the strong cooperation between the two countries both bilaterally and at international forums. He emphasized that the relationship between the two nations is at its best, noting his personal friendship with President Sisi.
The Chinese leader expressed his support for increasing Chinese tourism to Egypt, as well as for cooperation in water desalination projects, requesting that a point of contact be established for collaboration on this matter. In response, Prime Minister Madbouly confirmed that he would meet with the Chinese company proposed for cooperation in this area on Sunday.
Xi also welcomed the potential for issuing Panda bonds again, noting that relevant authorities would be contacted about this matter. He reaffirmed China’s commitment to upholding an international order based on international law, non-discrimination, and support for the global trading system.
On regional issues, Xi voiced China’s support for resolving Middle Eastern challenges through dialogue, in collaboration with Egypt. He expressed China’s backing for stability in the Red Sea region and support for Egypt’s efforts to resolve conflicts in the area.
President Xi congratulated Egypt on the impending opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum, expressing readiness to visit Egypt as part of his upcoming African tour. Also, he voiced his wish that President Sisi will attend the Arab-Chinese Summit next year.
During the meeting, Madbouly conveyed President Sisi’s greetings and explained that the geopolitical situation in the Middle East had prevented the president from attending the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Plus summit in person. He noted that President Sisi had expressed hopes for the summit’s success.
Madbouly emphasized that President Sisi has directed to boost efforts to strengthen and enhance bilateral relations across all sectors. He also expressed his hope for President Xi’s participation in the Grand Egyptian Museum’s inauguration ceremony, highlighting that Egypt and China will mark 70 years of diplomatic ties next year.
The premier stressed that China is Egypt’s most reliable strategic partner and expressed his hope for the further development of bilateral relations, especially in the economic sector. He pointed out that China is Egypt’s largest trading partner, with over $3 billion in investments from Chinese companies in Egypt, such as industrial developer TEDA.
Madbouly also expressed hope for China’s support in advancing the electric vehicle industry and renewable energy projects in Egypt. He expressed interest in enhancing cooperation in water desalination and noted that he had requested support from Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang during his recent visit to Egypt to encourage Chinese companies to localize the production of water desalination components.
Finally, Madbouly thanked President Xi for China’s backing for Egypt’s position on Middle Eastern issues and for the Chinese assistance in supporting Egypt’s development plans.
