Egypt: Chinese President Xi Jinping holds talks with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.

Storyline Chinese President Xi Jinping holds talks with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi Chinese President Xi Jinping noted that Egypt was among the first Arab and African countries to establish diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China in 1956. Over the past 70 years, the two countries have forged a strong friendship defined by equality and mutual trust ... friendship and mutual learning ... and solidarity and win-win cooperation. Xi said the two countries share similar development goals and closely aligned strategies in pursuing national development, improving people’s well-being, and safeguarding international fairness and justice. Against an increasingly volatile international and regional situation, Xi said the two countries should support each other, deepen cooperation, and continue building a China-Egypt community with a shared future. Xi called for deeper cooperation in five key areas: strengthening mutual support and high-level exchanges; expanding cooperation in infrastructure, energy, agriculture and communications, while exploring new opportunities in green energy, electric vehicles, aerospace and the digital economy; promoting people-to-people exchanges; strengthening security cooperation, including efforts against transnational crime and terrorism; and enhancing coordination at multilateral platforms such as the United Nations and BRICS. Egyptian President El-Sisi said Egypt firmly adheres to the one-China principle, and is committed to further advancing the two sides' comprehensive strategic partnership. He said Egypt is ready to deepen cooperation with China in trade and investment, manufacturing, infrastructure, finance, technology, and new energy, while strengthening military and security exchanges, and people-to-people ties. The Egyptian president said China plays an important and constructive role in international affairs as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, and that Egypt is willing to strengthen coordination with China on multilateral platforms to address global challenges, and safeguard international fairness and justice. The two heads of state also exchanged in-depth views on the situation in the Middle East. Xi said China supports regional countries in developing good-neighborly relations, and building a new security architecture for the Middle East based on a vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative, and sustainable security. He put forward four proposals. First, regional countries should strengthen their ability to safeguard their own security, oppose external interference, and enhance dialogue on peace and security. Second, the region should take a comprehensive approach to addressing its interconnected challenges. Xi said the Palestinian issue remains at the core of the Middle East question, and should never be ignored or marginalized. Third, development should provide a foundation for lasting peace and stability. China is ready to work with regional countries to safeguard international shipping routes, promote development cooperation, and build greater trust. Fourth, international coordination should be strengthened. Xi said the UN Charter and international law should guide efforts to address Middle East issues, while major powers outside the region should abandon double standards, respect regional countries’ sovereignty and territorial integrity, and support a greater role for the United Nations. El-Sisi said Egypt highly appreciates China’s objective and impartial position on Middle East issues. He said Egypt is committed to easing regional tensions and resolving conflicts through political means. He also said Egypt is ready to strengthen coordination with China to promote stability in the Middle East, and explore a new regional security architecture. Following the talks, the two heads of state witnessed the signing of multiple cooperation documents covering Belt and Road cooperation, artificial intelligence, trade, and industrial and supply chains. The two sides also issued a joint statement on further deepening their comprehensive strategic partnership. During the visit, they also signed more than 20 cooperation documents in areas including the digital economy, science and technology, education, and transportation. At noon, El-Sisi and his wife Entissar hosted a welcome banquet for President Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan at Al-Ittihadiya Palace. [Restrictions: No access Chinese mainland]