China ready to back Egypt's efforts to maintain stability, development: senior official

China is ready to support Egypt's efforts to maintain stability and growth as the nation strives to find a development path that fits its own conditions, Yang Jiechi, China's state councilor, said here on Monday.

The senior Chinese official, who is on an official trip to Egypt, made the remarks during his meeting with Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi.

Beijing has always viewed its relations with Cairo from a strategic perspective, and would like to materialize key agreements reached by Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Egyptian counterpart Sisi regarding the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries so as to promote bilateral ties to even higher levels, he said.

He said China is keen to join Egypt in boosting pragmatic cooperation by centering around the "Belt and Road" initiative with a focus on infrastructure and industrial capacity.

Yang also called on the two nations to enhance their strategic coordination in international and regional issues in a bid to safeguard the interests of developing countries.

For his part, Sisi said Egypt appreciates China's long-term support, and admires the great progress China has achieved.

He hailed the "Belt and Road" initiative as an important opportunity for his country, and pledged that Egypt will be an active part of the proposal.

The Egyptian leader also said that Cairo wants to keep up with high-level exchange visits between the two, and to strengthen its cooperation with China in infrastructure, agriculture, education and culture, as well as bilateral coordination in global and regional affairs.

During Sisi's China visit late December, Egypt and China have agreed to upgrade their bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership. Enditem