Egypt's consul general in Shanghai has highlighted the progress that the Egyptian-Chinese relations have witnessed in 2016, pointing out in this regard to last year's visits by both countries' presidents that yield clinching many key cooperation deals.

Speaking to the Chinese newspapers Global Times, consul Khaled Youssef said: "2016 was unique for the relations between Egypt and China. "We celebrated the 60th anniversary of establishing our diplomatic relations. The year 2016 was also the year of Sino-Egyptian culture, where many cultural activities took place", he added.

"President Abdel Fatah El Sisi visited China in September for the G20 Summit, and we also had the pleasure of an official visit by President Xi Jinping to Egypt in January, which brought an unprecedented impetus to the development of our bilateral relations".

The Egyptian diplomat recalled deals sealed between the two sides in 2016, including agreements in the consular domain, a memorandum of cooperation between Cairo and Shanghai as well as a memorandum of understanding between the Egyptian Museum and the Shanghai Museum.

The cooperation agreement between Suez and Ningbo along with agreement between the Cairo International Film Festival and the Shanghai International Film Festival were also mentioned by the consul.

He went on to say: "In 2017, we will continue working for attracting more Chinese companies to invest in Egypt, especially in the economic corridor of the Suez Canal."

Source: MENA