Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi concluded his six-day African tour in Cairo on Tuesday, amid a deepening dialogue between the two countries.
During his tour, Wang visited Ethiopia, Djibouti, Zimbabwe, and Egypt, meeting with the respective countries’ leaders and officials. The tour was part of China’s diplomatic efforts to strengthen ties with African countries amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The Chinese Foreign Minister met with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry. During their meeting, the two sides discussed various cooperation projects between China and Egypt, as well as issues of regional and international concern.
Wang noted that the two countries have made significant progress in trade and investment cooperation. He said that the two countries should make full use of their comparative advantages to increase the level of cooperation, and to promote the synergistic development of the Belt and Road Initiative and the Egypt-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
The Chinese Foreign Minister also expressed appreciation for Egypt’s support for the Belt and Road Initiative, and called for further cooperation between the two countries in infrastructure, energy, and logistics.
In addition, the two sides agreed to jointly establish a joint commission to strengthen the dialogue and cooperation between the two countries. They also expressed their shared commitment to work together to fight the coronavirus pandemic and to ensure the safety and health of their citizens.
The Chinese Foreign Minister’s visit to Egypt is indicative of the growing ties between China and Africa. In recent years, China has become increasingly involved in African affairs, with the two sides making significant progress in trade and investment cooperation.
China is now the largest trading partner of Africa, with two-way trade reaching $208.7 billion in 2019. Chinese companies have invested in various projects in the continent, ranging from infrastructure development to technology cooperation.
The two sides have also made joint efforts to fight the coronavirus pandemic. China has provided medical supplies and technical assistance to African countries, while African countries have expressed their gratitude for China’s help in fighting the pandemic.
The Chinese Foreign Minister’s visit to Egypt is a testament to the strong ties between the two countries. As the two sides continue to strengthen their cooperation in various areas, the relationship between China and Africa is only set to grow stronger.