On the morning of September 2nd local time, Egyptian President Sisi held talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Sun Palace in Cairo.
Cairo was sunny and clear. When Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan arrived at the Sun Palace by vehicle, a cavalry unit and honor guards stood in formation to pay their respects. A military band played a welcoming music, and 21 salute guns were fired. Hosni Mubarak and his wife Esirah welcomed them warmly.
Cesi held a welcome ceremony for Xi Jinping. The two heads of state stepped onto the reviewing platform together, and the military band played the national anthems of China and Ethiopia. The heads of state shook hands with their respective attendants. The heads of state and their spouses entered the Hall of the Sun Palace and took photographs in front of the national flags of both countries.
Welcome after the ceremony, the heads of state of the two countries held talks.
Xi Jinping pointed out that in 1956, Egypt was the first Arab and African country to establish diplomatic relations with New China. The older generation of leaders from both countries led the people of both nations to struggle side by side in pursuit of national independence and against imperialism and colonialism, forging an unbreakable and deep friendship. Over the past 70 years, the relationship between China and Egypt has developed into a partnership characterized by equality, mutual trust, friendly exchanges, harmonious cooperation, and win-win outcomes. In recent years, under our joint leadership, the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Egypt has achieved remarkable progress. Both sides share similar ideas and align their strategies in pursuit of development and prosperity, as well as in safeguarding international justice and fairness. In the face of the complex international and regional situations, both countries should support each other, deepen cooperation, and continuously advance the construction of a common destiny between China and Egypt.
Xi Jinping emphasized that China and Ethiopia should: First, strengthen mutual support, maintain the momentum of high-level exchanges, enhance cooperation and exchanges in various fields and at all levels, and promote the exchange of experiences in governance. Second, advance mutually beneficial cooperation, align development strategies, unlock potential in traditional areas such as infrastructure construction, electricity, agriculture, and communication technology, and create new highlights in cooperation in green energy, electric vehicles, aerospace, digital economy, and modern agriculture technologies. Third, promote cultural exchanges, expand cooperation in culture, education, science and technology, health, sports, etc., increase personnel exchanges, and enhance people-to-people contacts. Fourth, strengthen security cooperation, jointly combat transnational crime, deepen international cooperation against corruption, firmly support each other's counter-terrorism efforts, and maintain common security between the two countries. Fifth, enhance multilateral international cooperation, further coordinate and cooperate on multilateral platforms such as the United Nations and the BRICS countries, jointly promote the construction of China-Arab and China-Africa Cooperation Forums, oppose unilateralism and bullying, and contribute to building a more just and reasonable global governance system.
Cesi stated that Egypt warmly welcomes the historic state visit of President Xi Jinping to Egypt on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Egypt and China, the relationship between the two countries has maintained healthy and stable development, and fruitful results have been achieved in cooperation in various fields. Egypt firmly adheres to the principle of one China and is committed to promoting the further development of the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries. Egypt is willing to work with China to strengthen cooperation in trade and investment, manufacturing, infrastructure construction, finance, technology, new energy, among others. It also wishes to enhance military security exchanges and promote people-to-people contacts, benefiting the people of both countries and contributing to regional development and prosperity. As a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, China plays an important and constructive role in international affairs. Egypt is willing to cooperate with China on multilateral platforms to strengthen coordination and joint efforts to address global challenges and jointly maintain international fairness and justice.
The two heads of state had in-depth discussions on the situation in the Middle East. Xi Jinping pointed out that China supports countries in the region in developing friendly relations with neighbors, adheres to a common, comprehensive, cooperative, and sustainable concept of security, and seeks to establish a new framework for security in the Middle East. Xi Jinping proposed four initiatives: First, to stimulate the internal motivation for common security in the region. It is essential to let the people of the Middle East take charge of their own affairs, oppose interference from external forces, support countries in the region in strengthening dialogue on peace and security, explore reshaping of security frameworks within the region, and ensure that they have control over their own future and destiny. Second, to promote comprehensive governance for common security in the region. There are many hot issues in the Middle East, each with strong interconnections, and comprehensive solutions should be sought. The Palestinian issue remains at the core of Middle Eastern issues and should never be ignored or marginalized. Third, to establish a solid foundation for development that ensures common security in the region. Long-term stability in the Middle East ultimately depends on development. China is willing to work with other countries in the region to maintain the safety of international waterways, promote development cooperation, facilitate integration of regional interests, and gradually enhance mutual trust and eliminate the conditions for conflict. Fourth, to strengthen international coordination for common security in the region. The United Nations Charter and international law should be the basic guidelines for dealing with Middle Eastern affairs. The international community, especially external powers, should abandon double standards, respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of countries in the region, and maintain regional security and stability. Support for the United Nations to play an effective role in regional affairs is also important.
Sisi stated that Egypt highly appreciates China's consistent objective and fair stance on Middle Eastern issues. Egypt is committed to cooling the regional situation, resolving conflicts through political means, and achieving regional security and development. Egypt wishes to continue strengthening coordination with China, alleviating the Middle Eastern situation, maintaining stability in the region, and exploring a regional security framework.
After the talks, the two heads of state witnessed the signing of several cooperation documents in areas such as the construction of the "Belt and Road Initiative", artificial intelligence, trade and economy, and supply chain cooperation. The two sides issued the "Joint Statement of the People's Republic of China and the Arab Republic of Egypt on Further Deepening Comprehensive Strategic Partnerships". During the visit, the two sides also signed more than 20 cooperation documents in areas such as digital economy, technology, education, and transportation.
At noon on that day, Ceci and Itidal hosted a welcoming banquet for Xi Jinping and Peng Liyuan at the Sun Palace.
Cai Qi, Wang Yi, and others participated in the aforementioned activities.
