China and Egypt on Sunday agreed to push for elevating their bilateral relations to a new level as Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shoukry in Cairo.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, is visiting Africa – his first overseas trip at the beginning of the year, from January 13 to 18.
Noting that China and Egypt have witnessed deepening political mutual trust, fruitful practical cooperation and close multilateral coordination since they established a comprehensive strategic partnership 10 years ago, Wang said that China is willing to work with Egypt to push bilateral ties to a new level with new development.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi holds talks with Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shoukry in Cairo, Egypt, January 14, 2024. /Chinese Foreign Ministry
He urged the two sides to strengthen pragmatic cooperation and Belt and Road cooperation, advance landmark projects construction, and expand collaboration in new energy, aerospace, agricultural science and technology, digital economy, artificial intelligence, and medical and health care.
China encourages its enterprises to invest and do business in Egypt, welcomes more Chinese citizens to visit Egypt and stands ready to import more Egyptian products, Wang said, adding China will support Egypt in talents training and make the Luban Workshop in Egypt a benchmark for China-Africa vocational education cooperation.
China is also willing to work with Egypt to support an equal and orderly multipolar world and economic globalization that benefits all, promote a more equitable and fair global governance, and safeguard the common interests and legitimate rights of developing countries, said the Chinese foreign minister.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi holds talks with Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shoukry in Cairo, Egypt, January 14, 2024. /Chinese Foreign Ministry
For his part, Shoukry expressed the willingness to coordinate with China multilaterally to strengthen solidarity among developing countries, jointly oppose the creation of conflicts and confrontation, and safeguard international and regional peace and stability.
He said Egypt abides by the one-China principle, firmly supports China in safeguarding national unity, stability and development, and supports China's legitimate position on issues related to Xinjiang and Hong Kong.
Egypt looks forward to working with China to elevate their comprehensive strategic partnership to a higher level under the guidance of the two heads of state, he noted.
The two foreign ministers also had in-depth communication on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and issued a joint statement after the talks, expressing their deep concern over the further spillover of the current conflict and stressing the need for an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire.
The statement urged efforts of the international community and regional countries to ease tensions and turbulence in the region, ensuring the safety and security of navigation in the Red Sea, and promoting the implementation of the two-state solution to establish an independent State of Palestine.