Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and Chinese President Xi Jinping held official talks to review bilateral relations and discuss the progress achieved since the launch of the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries in 2014.

According to a statement issued by the Egyptian Presidency on Wednesday, the two leaders agreed to further deepen the comprehensive strategic partnership through several key areas, including maintaining high-level exchanges, enhancing strategic dialogue between the two foreign ministers, and strengthening overall strategic coordination.

The two sides agreed to expand mutually beneficial cooperation across various fields, while increasing coordination on global governance issues and supporting the interests of developing countries and the Global South.

Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to supporting each other on issues related to their core interests and major concerns. President Xi emphasized China’s recognition of the vital importance of the Nile River to Egypt as its main lifeline, as well as Egypt’s legitimate right to protect its water and food security and development interests. The two presidents also called on all Nile Basin countries to adhere to international law, including avoiding actions that could cause harm.

The leaders praised the continued successful cooperation on major projects in infrastructure, transportation, energy, manufacturing, space, and technology. They also highlighted ongoing cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative, support for the development of the Suez Canal Economic Zone, and joint efforts in renewable energy, artificial intelligence, digital transformation, and local manufacturing.

The two presidents agreed to further align Egypt Vision 2030 with the Belt and Road Initiative, aiming to position Egypt as a regional hub for industry, logistics, clean energy, and the digital economy, connecting Asia, Africa, and Europe. They also agreed to encourage Chinese companies to benefit from Egypt’s competitive advantages and explore greater cooperation in localizing industries to support digital transformation and sustainable development.

The leaders welcomed ongoing financial cooperation between the two countries, including the issuance of Chinese panda bonds and the expansion of local currency swap arrangements. They also expressed support for financial institutions from both sides to contribute to industrial investments, development projects, infrastructure, and green and digital transformation initiatives, while welcoming the renewal and increase of the bilateral currency swap agreement.

Egypt and China also agreed to expand cooperation in tourism, including increasing the number of Chinese tourists visiting Egypt, cooperation in hotel construction and resort management, and strengthening collaboration in media, culture, higher education, scientific research, and youth exchanges.

The two sides praised the implementation of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Executive Program for 2024–2028 and agreed to increase the use of local currencies in trade and investment, encouraging more commercial and investment transactions to be settled in Egyptian and Chinese currencies.

The Egyptian side welcomed China’s measures to exempt African countries from customs duties, while both leaders agreed to work toward achieving greater balance in trade relations and increasing Egyptian exports to the Chinese market in line with Chinese standards. They also agreed to continue consultations on the “Early Harvest” agreement.

The two presidents instructed relevant authorities in both countries to accelerate coordination on implementing the agreements reached, including holding the next meeting of the joint governmental committee at the earliest opportunity.

They also reaffirmed their commitment to the principles of the UN Charter and international law, rejecting double standards and unilateral measures. Both leaders stressed the need to reform the international system and global financial institutions to make them more fair, representative, and responsive to the challenges facing developing nations.

Egypt and China agreed to continue strengthening coordination in international forums, including the United Nations, BRICS, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and the G20, particularly on issues such as climate change, food security, energy, and the digital economy.

Egypt also expressed support for China’s presidency of BRICS in 2027 and the hosting of the 19th BRICS Leaders’ Summit, while welcoming China’s initiatives to establish the International Mediation Organization and the World Cooperation Organization on Artificial Intelligence.