China, Egypt presidents discuss industrial, economic cooperation in Beijing
Egypt’s President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi discussed on Saturday with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing economic and industrial cooperation, especially in the production of coronavirus vaccines and electric vehicles, the Egyptian presidency said.
President Xi said El-Sisi’s visit contributes to cementing the distinguished ties between the two countries, the Egyptian presidency added.
The Chinese president expressed his appreciation for the development of bilateral strategic relations in various fields, particularly in the economic and trade fields. He lauded the boost in political communication and consultations between the two countries on regional and international issues.
During his meeting with El-Sisi, Xi said China holds Egypt in high regard for the pivotal role it plays in the Middle East, Africa, and the Eastern Mediterranean.
El-Sisi, meanwhile, said Egypt is keen to build on the accelerating momentum, resulting from the regular meetings between senior officials from Egypt and China, to bolster cooperation on multiple fronts, especially in the economic and trade fields, and to attract more Chinese investments to Egypt.
El-Sisi was invited to Beijing to attend on Friday the opening ceremony of the 24th edition of the Winter Olympics. He is the first Egyptian president to receive this invitation.
Egypt has been locally producing China’s coronavirus vaccine Sinovac since summer 2021 to inoculate the public and to export to African markets.
El-Sisi and Xi’s meeting took place at the Great Hall of the People, where they discussed boosting cooperation in scientific research and transferring technologies in pharmaceutical industries, the manufacture of coronavirus vaccines, and China’s expertise in combating the pandemic, the Egyptian presidency stated.
China’s Sinovac and Sinopharm vaccines are also used in Egypt’s mass vaccination campaign.
El-Sisi and Xi also tackled boosting cooperation in industrial and information technologies as well as the manufacturing of electric vehicles.
Egypt will soon start manufacturing electric vehicles, El-Sisi announced at the World Youth Forum, held in the Red Sea resort city of Sharm El-Sheikh in January.
In addition, the two presidents discussed the means to boost trade and joint projects. They also talked about the important role the Suez Canal Economic Zone plays in boosting China’s Belt and Road Initiative through the Egyptian-Chinese economic and commercial zone.
The Egyptian presidency noted that the meeting tackled regional issues, such as the recent developments in the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) dispute, the Palestinian cause, and the crises in Libya, Syria, and Yemen.
The two leaders discussed ways to cooperate on the development of Africa and means of coordination between African countries and China to benefit from the Belt and Road Initiative.
