China Egypt relations. Photo: VCG

At the invitation of Member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi, Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Immigration and Expatriates Badr Abdelatty is scheduled to visit China and co-chair the China-Egypt foreign ministers' strategic dialogue from December 12 to 13, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning announced on Wednesday.

The Egyptian foreign minister's China visit will not only deepen traditional friendship between the two countries but also holds significant bilateral and multilateral importance, as exchanges between the two sides on regional situation and hotspot issues contribute to regional peace and stability, according to Liu Zhongmin, a professor from the Middle East Studies Institute of Shanghai International Studies University.

According to the Egyptian government website, during the visit, the fourth round of strategic dialogue between Egypt and China will take place. Abdelatty will meet with senior Chinese officials and exchange viewpoints towards regional and international developments. He will also meet with heads of Chinese companies operating in Egypt and members of the Egyptian community in China.

Previously on September 27, Wang Yi met with Badr Abdelatty on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, during which Wang expressed that China supports Egypt in pursuing a successful development path suited to its national conditions and in safeguarding its national sovereignty, security and development interests, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry. 

Badr Abdelatty, during the September meeting, said that Egypt-China relations are relations between two major countries and two ancient civilizations and have maintained a strong momentum of development. Egypt is ready to work with China to deliver on the common understandings reached by the leaders of the two countries, deepen cooperation in various fields and make the China-Egypt Year of Partnership a success. 

Egypt, as a traditional power in the Arab world, occupies a prominent position in regional affairs and was the first Arab country and African state to establish diplomatic relations with China, illustrating a special significance of bilateral ties. Also as the host of the Arab League headquarters and a longstanding center of the Arab world, Egypt's strategic dialogue with China not only deepens the longstanding friendship between China and Egypt but also strengthens their collaboration in addressing regional and global challenges, Liu told the Global Times on Thursday.

The Middle East remains volatile, particularly with the ongoing and far-reaching impact of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Egypt continues to play a pivotal role in addressing these issues, especially in mediating negotiations between Hamas and Israel, alongside Qatar. Amid various pressing regional issues, exchanges between China and Egypt on the regional situation and hotspot issues contribute significantly to regional peace and stability, Liu explained.