Chinese FM calls for strategic, pragmatic, sustainable China-Egypt ties

China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi (L) shakes hands with Egypt's Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry during a news conference following their meeting in Cairo, Aug 3, 2014. [Photo/Agencies]

CAIRO - Visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Sunday called for keeping up the strategic, pragmatic and sustainable bilateral ties between China and Egypt.

As strategic partners, China and Egypt should further promote the mutually-beneficial cooperation in various fields for the development and prosperity of both countries, Wang said during talks with his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shukry. For that end, the understanding and friendship between the two peoples should be strengthened, as it's the social foundation and momentum of a ever-progressing bilateral relation, Wang added.

The Chinese foreign minister, who started his two-day visit to Cairo on Saturday, expressed China's firm support for Egypt's exploration of a development path in accordance with its own national conditions, saying Egypt has gained a steady step in its political transition.

During the meeting, Wang proposed that the two countries should focus the bilateral cooperation in six fields.

China and Egypt should strengthen mutual political trust and support by facilitating high-level official exchanges, while at the same time enhance pragmatic bilateral cooperation in such fields as infrastructure, energy, industry, agriculture and space technology, Wang said, also calling for more exchange in culture, education and tourism.

He also called for further military exchanges between the two countries, as well as more security cooperation in the fight against terrorism, transnational crime and drug trafficking.

The two countries should also advance their mutual support and coordination regarding international and regional issues, he added.

For his part, Shukry said that China is the most trusted friend and strategic partner of Egypt, expressing his country's firm support to the one-China policy and its efforts in maintaining national sovereignty. Egypt is strongly opposed to any foreign interference of China's internal affairs, Shukry said.

The Egyptian foreign minister stressed that Egypt is willing to deepen high-level exchanges between the two countries. Egypt welcomes more Chinese investment and participation in developing Egypt's infrastructure, new energy, manufacturing and agriculture, Shukry said.