Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi shakes hands with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang at Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, China September 2, 2018. (REUTERS)
Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi had a busy schedule Sunday on his second day of his three-day official visit to China to attend the The Forum on China–Africa Cooperation (FOCAC 2018).
The Egyptian President met with Chinese officials and business CEOs as well as African leaders, visited with the Communist Party Academy, and witnessed the signing of major economic deals, according to Egyptian Presidency statements.
Earlier in the day, El-Sisi met with Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang where they discussed ways to boost the Egyptian-Chinese bilateral relations especially in the economic field.
The Chinese prime minister praised the economic reforms recently adopted by the Egyptian government.
El-Sisi also met with CEOs of leading Chinese companies working in Egypt where they discussed the country's steps to attract foreign direct investments as well as strategic and economic relations between Cairo and Beijing.
Later in the day, the Egyptian president met with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed at his residence in Beijing where they discussed the Egyptian-Ethiopian relations and recent developments in the construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance dam.
The two sides stressed their determination to reach an agreement regarding the construction of the Ethiopian dam, which safeguards Egypt's rights to the Nile water as well as Ethiopia's right to economic development, without causing any harm to either side, the presidency said.
El-Sisi also met with Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed where they discussed recent developments in the African country, and bilateral economic relations. The president stressed Cairo's keenness to support Somalia's state institutions and its war against extremism and terrorism, according to a presidency statement.
The Somali president discussed with El-Sisi Mogadishu's efforts to restore security and stability to his country and overcome various challenges including the threats posed by terrorism.
President El-Sisi met his Sudanese counterpart Omar El-Bashir where they discussed the Egyptian-Sudanese relations as well as various crises in the Middle East and Africa.
The talks between the two leaders included a review of the preparations for the upcoming Joint High Committee of the two countries, the presidency said.
Before meeting the African leaders, El-Sisi attended the signing of a number of agreements and contracts with a number of Chinese companies to implement projects worth $18.3 billion projects in Egypt.
The inked projects include "the construction of the world's biggest power plants in Al-Hamrawein region on Egypt's Red Sea coast, which will be powered by clean coal technology, and with a production capacity of 6000 Megawatts," a presidential statement said.
They also include stage two of central operations in the new Administrative Capital, the construction of a petrochemical refinery plant in the Suez Canal Zone, pumping and storage plant in Ataqa mountain, the construction of Shaodong Roi textile complex, and a Tai Chan plant for gypsum panels.
Earlier in the day, the Egyptian president visited the Chinese Communist Party Academy where he addressed students and administrators.
"Cairo would benefit from Beijing’s economic, cultural, touristic, and technological expertise to advance growth and development in Egypt. We are looking forward to maintaining and developing our relationship, as Egypt enjoys a significant geo-strategic position," El-Sisi said in a speech at the academy, which is one of China’s premiere educational institutions.
The Egyptian President's delegation in China includes Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry, Minister of Investment and International Cooperation Sahar Nasr, Minister of Electricity Mohamed Shaker and the Chairman of Suez Canal Authority Mohab Mamish.
El-Sisi is set to attend on Monday The Forum on China–Africa Cooperation FOCAC 2018.
Minister of Investment and International Cooperation Sahar Nasr during signing of contracts with Chinese companies (Photo: Egyptian Presidency)
President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi with the Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in Beijing (Photo: Egyptian Presidency)
President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi's meeting with the Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed (Photo:Egyptian Presidency)
Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi with his Sudanese counterpart Omar al-Bashir (Photo: Egyptian Presidency)
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