Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks in Cairo on Wednesday, focusing on strengthening bilateral cooperation and discussing regional and international developments.
The meeting took place at Al-Ittihadiya Palace, where Sisi formally welcomed the Chinese leader with an official reception ceremony.
The national anthems of Egypt and China were played, while an artillery salute was fired in honour of the visiting president.
According to Egypt’s state-linked Al-Qahera News, discussions between the two leaders focused on expanding cooperation between Cairo and Beijing as well as exchanging views on regional developments and other issues of mutual interest.
Xi’s trip marks the first visit to Egypt by a Chinese president in 10 years, giving the talks additional significance as the two countries seek to deepen their political and economic relationship.
Egypt and China are also expected to sign a number of bilateral agreements during the visit, covering areas of cooperation between the two countries.
The talks come as Beijing continues to expand its economic and diplomatic engagement across the Middle East and Africa, while Egypt seeks greater international investment and partnerships for its development and infrastructure programmes.