China and Egypt pledged to promote bilateral cooperation on big construction projects during the first visit by President Abdelfatah Al-Sisi to Beijing, according to China's state-run Xinhua News Agency.
The pledge was made in the meeting between Premier Li Keqiang and Sisi on Wednesday, the report said. "China is ready to make joint efforts with Egypt to push bilateral ties to a new high,"Li was quoted as telling Sisi.
The Chinese premier also called on the two countries to strengthen cooperation in such areas as infrastructure construction, trade, investment, and high technology.
"China wants to participate in the construction of Egypt's big projects including high-speed railway, railway, undersea tunnels and nuclear power plant, and to promote the construction of Suez trade cooperation zone," Li said.
Al-Sisi echoed Li, saying Egypt is willing to expand its reciprocal cooperation with China in all areas, especially in investment and financing. He welcomed Chinese companies to Egypt's construction projects.
Al-Sisi arrived in Beijing on Monday for a four-day state visit to China at the invitation of President Xi Jinping. In their summit talks on Tuesday, Xi and Al-Sisi agreed to elevate the bilateral relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries, pledging to boost political, economic, military, cultural and technological cooperation along with cooperation on regional and international affairs.