Coordination with Egypt to be cemented

President Xi Jinping said on Wednesday that China will strengthen coordination with Egypt to further enhance the influence and voice of the Global South and safeguard the common interests of developing countries.

He made the remark when meeting with Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi. This was the second meeting between the two leaders within a year. El-Sisi made a state visit to China in May.

Xi congratulated and welcomed Egypt for participating in the summit for the first time as a full member of BRICS, saying that Beijing will work with Cairo to promote steady and sustained "greater BRICS cooperation".

As this year marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the China-Egypt comprehensive strategic partnership, Xi said that the two countries should continue to firmly support each other, consolidate political mutual trust, deepen practical cooperation, promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and enhance people-to-people exchanges.

El-Sisi lauded China as the most sincere friend of Egypt and Africa and expressed gratitude to China for providing his country with valuable assistance in various forms.

He said that the Egyptian side firmly adheres to the one-China principle and fully understands the extreme importance of the Taiwan question to China.

Egypt is ready to strengthen multilateral collaboration with China to promote the building of a more just and equitable global governance system, he said.

The two leaders also exchanged views on the situation in the Middle East, as the Palestinian-Israeli conflict has continued for more than a year.

Xi told his Egyptian counterpart that China appreciates Egypt's efforts to promote a ceasefire to end the conflict, and is willing to strengthen coordination with Egypt to push for an early settlement and the easing of regional tensions.

mojingxi@chinadaily.com.cn