Egypt Daily News – Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi reaffirmed Egypt’s commitment to strengthening economic cooperation with China, particularly in the area of debt swap arrangements, during a high-level meeting with Chinese Premier Li Qiang held in Cairo on Wednesday. The talks reflect the deepening strategic partnership between the two nations ahead of the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2026.
The meeting, attended by Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly and senior officials from both countries, focused on enhancing bilateral cooperation across a broad range of sectors. According to presidential spokesperson Ambassador Mohamed El-Shenawy, Premier Li Qiang conveyed greetings from Chinese President Xi Jinping and described President El-Sisi as a “dear friend of China,” highly respected and warmly welcomed in Beijing.
The Chinese premier praised the long-standing partnership between Egypt and China, built on mutual respect, shared interests, and a rich history of collaboration. He also noted the rapid advancement in bilateral relations and the strong coordination between the two countries on both regional and international issues, emphasizing Egypt’s pivotal role as a stabilizing force in the Middle East.
President El-Sisi, in turn, expressed Egypt’s eagerness to deepen ties with China and to advance the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries. He highlighted Egypt’s appreciation for China’s contributions to key development projects across the country, including in infrastructure and industrial development.
Looking to the future, President El-Sisi welcomed increased Chinese investment in priority sectors such as renewable energy, electric vehicle manufacturing, and tourism. He also emphasized the importance of enhancing industrial cooperation and broader development efforts.
Notably, the president voiced Egypt’s interest in continuing consultations with China on debt swap mechanisms, aiming for the effective and efficient implementation of related agreements. Such arrangements are increasingly viewed as innovative tools to ease debt burdens while channeling investment into development projects.
The meeting underscored the strong and growing ties between Egypt and China, as both nations look to expand their partnership in support of mutual economic growth and regional stability.
