Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said on Sunday that Egypt supports the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and hopes to boost cooperation with China in infrastructure, industrial parks, high technology and other fields. 

Egypt hopes to become an important gateway for Chinese enterprises to enter the Middle East and Africa, the Egyptian president told visiting Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi. 

He said Egypt regards China as a true friend and reliable partner and will unswervingly and undisturbedly develop the bilateral cooperation in various fields.

Egypt will take the opportunity of celebrating the 65th anniversary of diplomatic ties to further strengthen the comprehensive strategic partnership between Egypt and China, he said. 

Sisi affirmed that Egypt unswervingly pursues the one-China policy, firmly supports China's efforts to safeguard national sovereignty, security and stability, and strongly supports China's fight against terrorism and religious extremism. 

Wang, for his part, said China also firmly supports Egypt in continuing to explore a development path suited to its national conditions, pursuing an independent policy, and making efforts to fight terrorism, maintain stability and de-radicalize extremists.

Calling Egypt an important partner in building the BRI, Wang said China is willing to strengthen the synergy between the BRI and Egypt's Vision 2030, help Egypt accelerate its pace of industrialization, enhance its scientific and technological capabilities, uplift its development level, and deepen the law enforcement and security cooperation to safeguard the common security of the two countries. 

Wang also pledged that China will continue providing vaccines and anti-epidemic materials to Egypt to help it eradicate the COVID-19 pandemic. 

During his visit to Egypt, Wang also held talks with his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shoukry, signed an agreement on the establishment of the Sino-Egyptian Intergovernmental Cooperation Committee and attended a virtual ceremony marking the joint production of 1 million doses of Chinese COVID-19 vaccines in Egypt. 

(With input from Xinhua)