Egypt and China deepen cooperation during el-Sissi's visit to Beijing

Egypt and China deepen cooperation during el-Sissi’s visit to Beijing

1 of 12 |

Xi Jinping met with Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi ahead of the opening session of the 10th ministerial meeting of the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum. The two leaders had official talks after the welcoming ceremony, and witnessed the signing of agreements on cooperations between the two countries, involving areas of Belt-and-Road initiative, science and technology, trade and investment.

2 of 12 |

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi, rear left, attend a signing ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, Wednesday May 29, 2024. (Tingshu Wang/Pool Photo via AP)

3 of 12 |

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi, right, review the honour guard during a welcome ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, Wednesday May 29, 2024. (Tingshu Wang/Pool Photo via AP)

4 of 12 |

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi, right, arrive for a signing ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, Wednesday May 29, 2024. (Tingshu Wang/Pool Photo via AP)

5 of 12 |

Chinese President Xi Jinping, 4th left, and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi, 2nd right, attend a meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, Wednesday May 29, 2024. (Tingshu Wang/Pool Photo via AP)

6 of 12 |

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi attends a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, Wednesday May 29, 2024. (Tingshu Wang/Pool Photo via AP)

7 of 12 |

Chinese President Xi Jinping waits for Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi ahead of a welcome ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, Wednesday May 29, 2024. (Tingshu Wang/Pool Photo via AP)

8 of 12 |

9 of 12 |

Chinese President Xi Jinping applauds during a signing ceremony with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, Wednesday May 29, 2024. (Tingshu Wang/Pool Photo via AP)

10 of 12 |

School children rehearse a welcome ceremony for Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, Wednesday May 29, 2024. (Tingshu Wang/Pool Photo via AP)

11 of 12 |

12 of 12 |

Chinese President Xi Jinping walks with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi, right, during a welcome ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, Wednesday May 29, 2024. (Tingshu Wang/Pool Photo via AP)

By FATMA KHALED

CAIRO (AP) — Egypt and China on Wednesday signed agreements deepening their cooperation during President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi’s visit to Beijing.

El-Sissi, accompanied by Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, witnessed the signing together with Chinese President Xi Jinping in a ceremony that coincided with the 10th anniversary of the Egypt-China comprehensive strategic partnership.

The Egyptian delegation discussed bilateral relations and bringing stability to the Middle East in light of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, according to a statement released by the Egyptian presidency. It gave no details.

The agreements include collaboration in China’s Belt and Road Initiative, which brings Chinese companies to build Chinese-funded transportation, energy, and infrastructure projects overseas.

China invested billions of dollars in Egyptian state projects, including the Suez Canal Economic Zone and the new Administrative Capital east of Cairo.

Investments between Egypt and China amounted to around $14 billion in 2023, compared to $16.6 billion in 2022, according to the latest data released by Egypt’s statistics agency.