Xi meets Egyptian president

Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) meets with Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi, who is here to attend the Second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, in Beijing, capital of China, April 25, 2019. (Xinhua/Yan Yan)?

BEIJING, April 25 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday met with Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi, who is here to attend the Second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation.

As Egypt is the rotating chair of the African Union, President Sisi's attendance at the forum not only reflected Egypt's sincere involvement in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), but also represented the common wish of African countries for win-win progress and common development, Xi said.

Xi called on the two sides to strengthen political mutual trust, and continue to support and coordinate with each other on issues involving respective core interests and major concerns.

While highlighting China's willingness to participate in the Suez Canal Corridor development plan, Xi also said that the two sides should deepen anti-terror and security cooperation and continue to enhance people-to-people and cultural exchanges.

China supports Africa's integration progress, and is willing to work with Egypt to jointly enhance infrastructure construction in Africa, Xi said.

Sisi said that Egypt is willing to learn from China's successful experience in development, align the country's development plan with the BRI, and deepen cooperation in a wide range of fields.

Egypt appreciates China's efforts in upholding justice in the Middle East issue, and hopes China will continue to play a constructive role, he said.