Chinese President Xi Jinping, wife arrive Egypt on state visit

..As Xi assures of in-depth exchange of views with El-Sisi

From Aidoghie Paulinus, Abuja

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his spouse, Peng Liyuan, on Tuesday evening, arrived Cairo, Egypt, on a state visit, via a special plane.

President Xi is in Egypt on the invitation of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry disclosed on its official website that upon Xi and Liyuan’s arrival at Cairo International Airport, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and his wife were present to warmly greet them.

“Honour guards stood in formation along both sides of the red carpet in salute, while Egyptian youths waved the national flags of China and Egypt to welcome Xi Jinping and his wife.

“Xi Jinping delivered a written statement extending sincere greetings and best wishes, on behalf of the Chinese government and people, to the Egyptian government and people,” the Chinese Foreign Ministry said.

The Chinese Government added that President Xi, in his remarks, noted that China and Egypt were both ancient civilizations, with a traditional friendship that has endured and grown stronger over millennia.

Xi also said that over the 70 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, the two countries have always stood together and cooperated for mutual benefit, regardless of changes in the international and regional landscape.

“In recent years, together with President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, I have guided the China-Egypt comprehensive strategic partnership to achieve leapfrog development. The two countries enjoy solid political mutual trust, fruitful mutually beneficial cooperation, and close and robust multilateral coordination, setting an example of friendship and solidarity among developing countries.

“During this visit, I will have an in-depth exchange of views with President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi on China-Egypt relations, all-round bilateral cooperation, and international and regional issues of mutual concern, jointly charting the course for the development of the China-Egypt comprehensive strategic partnership and opening a new chapter in the history of China-Egypt friendship,” Xi said.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry further said the Secretary of the Secretariat of the Chinese Communist Party (CPC), Cai Qi, and the Chinese Foreign Minister, Wang Yi and other accompanying officials arrived on the same plane with President Xi.

“Chinese Ambassador to Egypt Liao Liqiang also went to the airport to welcome the delegation,” the Chinese Foreign Ministry stated.