China supports Egypt in economic growth

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CAIRO - China is ready to offer firm support for Egypt's efforts to maintain social stability, and promote economic growth, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said here on Sunday.

In his meeting with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, Wang, who is on a two-day visit to the country, also expressed China's strong willingness to develop its relations with Egypt.

The Chinese foreign minister conveyed a message from Chinese President Xi Jinping, in which the Chinese head of state congratulated again Sisi on his election to the presidency.

In his message, Xi said he believed that, under Sisi's leadership, Egypt would soon complete its political transition and begin its path of development towards prosperity.

Egypt is a leading country in the Arab world, Africa and the Islamic world, and a country that has traditional friendship with China, said Xi, adding that China values the development of China-Egypt ties.

Xi also reaffirmed China's strong support for Egypt's efforts in maintaining social stability, and boosting economy development, as well as improving people's livelihood so as to promote bilateral friendship, strengthen pragmatic cooperation in various fields, and deepen the two countries' strategic partnership. The Chinese president also welcomed Sisi to visit China.

Wang said his visit, on the appointment of Xi, was to express China's strong support for the current Egyptian government and its people, and to show China's sincere willingness to advance the two countries' mutually beneficial cooperation.

Considering Egypt's role in the Middle East region as well as the world, deepening China-Egypt ties would facilitate the multipolarization of the world, the democratization of the international relations and a balanced development of relations between world powers, Wang said.

He added that China was glad to see the improvement of the political transition in Egypt, and was willing to make joint efforts with Egypt to enhance political mutual trust, promote high-level exchanges, and provide mutual support to each other on their issues of major concerns.

China's strategic conception of building the "one belt and one road" tallies with Egypt's strategy of national development, Wang noted, urging bilateral cooperation in building up the Suez Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone, as well as in modern industries and agriculture, energy, infrastructures such as highways and tunnels, as well as aerospace and satellite technologies.

China is also willing to maintain bilateral coordination and cooperation on international and regional issues, he added.

"One belt and one road" refers to the "Silk Road Economic Belt" and "21st Century Maritime Silk Road," infrastructure and trade networks put forward by Xi during his visit to Central Asia and Southeast Asia in 2013.

For his part, Sisi appreciated what Xi said in his message, and said he hoped to visit China as early as possible.

Egypt and China share a deep-rooted traditional friendship, Sisi said, adding that Egypt has attached high importance to the development of the bilateral ties with China, and regarded Beijing as an important strategic partner.

Sisi also expressed his appreciation for China's support after Egypt experienced massive social changes, saying that the new Egyptian government is committed to safeguarding social stability and growing its economy.

Egypt was preparing to implement several projects including the Suez Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone, Sisi noted, adding that Cairo welcome Chinese investment in these projects.