President calls for stronger partnership with Egypt

President Xi Jinping arrived in Egypt on Tuesday, setting foot in the land nourished by the Nile for the second time.

Upon arrival at Cairo International Airport, Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, were warmly welcomed by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and his wife, Entissar El-Sisi.

"Once you drink from the Nile, you are destined to return," Xi invoked an Egyptian proverb in a signed article published by Egyptian media outlets on Tuesday.

"During my last visit 10 years ago, I was deeply impressed by the time-honored, profound civilization of this country, together with its booming vitality and upward momentum," Xi wrote.

On his return, Xi said he looks forward to renewing his friendship and working together with Egyptian President El-Sisi to explore ways of cooperation and map out a new blueprint for deepening the China-Egypt comprehensive strategic partnership.

The visit comes as China and Egypt mark the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations this year.

For seven decades, the China-Egypt relationship has braved wind and rain, and withstood the test of a changing international landscape, staying on the right course, remaining robust as ever, and sustaining a strong momentum, Xi said.

The relationship is a fine example of China's cooperation with Arab states and Africa as a whole, and for friendship, solidarity and collaboration between developing countries, he added.

Xi noted that both countries are at a critical stage of development and national revitalization. China saw its 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) for economic and social development get off to a good start, and is striving to open up new ground in Chinese modernization.

Egypt is making vigorous efforts in building the New Republic and forging ahead toward its Vision 2030.

"The Chinese side is ready to work with the Egyptian side to deepen the comprehensive strategic partnership, advance the building of a community with a shared future between the two countries, and join hands in realizing modernization," Xi wrote.

Xi called on the two sides to continue supporting each other on core interests and major concerns, and deepen exchanges and cooperation at various levels and across all sectors to ensure that the baton of friendship is passed on from generation to generation.

To set a benchmark for joint development, Xi urged the two countries to forge greater synergy in development strategies, engage in high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, proactively tap the potential and expand the scope of pragmatic collaboration in a bid to provide sustained impetus to the mutually beneficial cooperation.

Xi also called on China and Egypt to "take pride in who we are while setting an example for exchanges and mutual learning".

The two sides should deepen exchanges and cooperation in fields such as education, tourism, science and technology, health, sports and archaeology, Xi said.

Such efforts would forge a stronger bond of mutual understanding and affinity between the two peoples, with a view to injecting new momentum into the China-Egypt comprehensive strategic partnership, and harnessing the strengths of diverse civilizations to promote the building of a community with a shared future for humanity, Xi added.

Beyond bilateral relations, he underscored the shared responsibilities of China and Egypt in upholding fairness and justice as major developing countries and important members of the Global South.

With profound changes unseen in a century unfolding at a faster pace amid a volatile international landscape, China and Egypt should vigorously uphold world peace and stability, and international fairness and justice by practicing true multilateralism, enhancing multilateral coordination and working together to deliver on the four global initiatives of development, security, civilization and governance, he said.

Xi called on the two countries to join hands to lead the way in China-Arab and China-Africa cooperation.

The Chinese side is ready to work with the Egyptian side to enhance the demonstration effect of their well-established cooperation, and leverage Egypt's unique location in linking the Arab world and reaching across the African continent, Xi said.