Photo: fmprc.gov.cn

China firmly supports Egypt in pursuing an independent policy and its efforts to counter terrorism, maintain stability and de-radicalization, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said during his meeting with Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi on Sunday. 

Wang also highly appreciated the prospect on bilateral cooperation in anti-COVID efforts and the Belt and Road initiative (BRI). 

Sisi asked Wang to convey his sincere greetings to Chinese President Xi Jinping and once again warmly congratulated the Communist Party of China (CPC) on the 100th anniversary of its founding. He spoke highly of the Chinese people under the leadership of the CPC for creating miracles that have attracted worldwide attention.  

Sisi said Egypt unswervingly upholds the one-China policy, firmly supports China's efforts to safeguard its national sovereignty, security and stability. He also confirmed his support for China's fight against terrorism and religious extremism, noting Egypt is ready to coordinate closely with China to jointly promote regional peace and stability.  

Egypt supports the China-proposed BRI and hopes to further cooperate with China on infrastructure, industrial parks and cutting-edge technologies and to become an important gateway for Chinese enterprises to enter the Middle East and Africa, the president said.

Sisi also thanked China for providing vaccine assistance to Egypt and helping it to achieve a remarkable localized COVID-19 vaccine production. 

Wang conveyed the cordial greetings from President Xi to Sisi, noting that the China-Egypt friendship has stood the test of the international situation and it's unbreakable and firm as a rock. 

Wang said China highly appreciates Egypt for always standing with China on issues concerning China's core interests and major concerns. He added that China also firmly supports Egypt in continuing to explore a development path suitable to its national conditions, in pursuing an independent policy and in its efforts to counter terrorism, maintain stability and de-radicalization.  

We look forward to working with Egypt toward the goal of building a China-Egypt community with a shared future and building bilateral relations into a pioneering and experimental model for China-Arab States and China-Africa communities with a shared future, Wang said.  

Wang said that Egypt is an important partner in the joint development of BRI and that China is ready to enhance the synergy between BRI and "Egypt Vision 2030." Wang said China supports Egypt in speeding up industrialization, enhancing scientific and technological capabilities and upgrading the level of development.  

The two countries will deepen cooperation in law enforcement and security to safeguard common interests. China is ready to strengthen coordination and cooperation with Egypt in international affairs, jointly uphold and practice multilateralism, oppose unilateralism and bullying, and ensure that the reform of global governance moves in the right direction, Wang said. 

The two also exchanged views on regional issues in the Middle East and Africa, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry.  

China will continue to provide Egypt with vaccines and anti-epidemic materials to help its fight against the epidemic, Wang said.  

During his visit to Egypt, Wang also held talks with Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, signed an agreement on the establishment of an intergovernmental cooperation committee between China and Egypt, and attended the ceremony celebrating the production of one million doses of the China-Egypt COVID-19 vaccine cooperative production project.  

The Egypt visit is the second stop of Wang's Syria, Egypt and Algeria visit from July 17 to 20, after wrapping up his visit to three central Asian countries from July 12 to 16.

Global Times