BEIJING
Chinese President Xi Jinping welcomed the signing of a bilateral trade agreement with Egypt as an “important milestone,” state media reported.
In a joint statement signed by Xi and Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi, the presidents pledged to boost political, economic, military, cultural and technological ties, Xinhua news agency reported Tuesday.
Xinhua paraphrased Xi as saying he believed the “Egyptian government and people are wise and able enough to handle all problems and achieve stability and development in the country.”
China announced it was prepared to help develop Egypt’s economy, focusing on infrastructure; the energy sector, including nuclear power; aviation; and finance.
In particular, China will invest in Egypt’s Suez Canal corridor projects that aim to develop the vital waterway linking Mediterranean to the Indian Ocean.
Al-Sisi, who is on a four-day visit to China, also said he hoped more Chinese tourists would visit Egypt and that more Egyptian students would study in China.
Xinhua said al-Sisi briefed Xi on the situation in North Africa and the Middle East. Xi reportedly remarked on the complicated situation and stressed the importance of finding a solution. Xinhua did not identify the situation to which Xi was referring.
The agency said China emphasized its respect for the Egyptian people's right to “choose their political system and development policy on their own as well as opposing external forces' attempt to interfere in Egypt's internal affairs in any name.”
Citing the statement, the agency added that “disputes between countries should be addressed through dialogue and negotiations, opposing interference into other countries' internal affairs with military forces in any name and politicizing issues on human rights.”
www.aa.com.tr/en
