Cairo, 09 July 2025 (Xinhua News)

Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang said here on Wednesday that China supports Arab countries in strengthening strategic autonomy, enhancing unity and self-reliance, and pursuing development paths suited to their own national conditions.

During his meeting with Arab League (AL) Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul-Gheit, Li said that China has always viewed and developed its relations with Arab nations from a strategic perspective and firmly supports their just cause.

Noting that China and Arab countries are trustworthy friends and good partners, Li said that at present, under the strategic guidance of Chinese President Xi Jinping and the leaders of Arab countries, China-Arab relations have entered their best period in history.

China is willing to strengthen friendly ties with the AL, enhance strategic mutual trust with Arab countries, deepen cooperation across various fields, work together to advance modernization, and build a higher-level China-Arab community with a shared future, he said.

Li said that China is ready to further align its development strategies with Arab countries and proceed with their high-quality Belt and Road cooperation.

He called on the two sides to expand cooperation in energy, economy and trade, investment and financing, as well as aerospace and other fields, and explore cooperation potential in emerging fields such as new energy, artificial intelligence, digital economy and blue economy.

The Chinese side is also ready to work with Arab countries to promote a coordinated development of landmark flagship projects and "small but beautiful" projects to better benefit the people of both sides.

Both sides, Li said, should enhance dialogue among civilizations and people-to-people exchanges, deepen cooperation among youth, think tanks, universities, as well as in culture and tourism, and explore the implementation of more measures to facilitate personnel exchanges, so as to boost people-to-people bonds.

The Chinese side is ready to enhance communication and coordination with Arab countries on platforms such as the United Nations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the World Trade Organization and the Group of 20, demonstrate the common will and speak in a common voice, so as to promote a more just and equitable global governance system, Li said.

Li also expressed his hope that the AL will continue to play an important role in advancing the development of China-Arab relations and jointly ensure the second China-Arab States Summit next year a success.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang arrived in Cairo on Wednesday for his first official visit to Egypt, welcomed by Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly.

Leading a high-level delegation, Li received an official reception at Cairo International Airport. Both the countries expected to hold expanded talks and oversee the signing of agreements to boost cooperation in areas such as infrastructure, energy, trade, and technology.

Li highlighted the nearly 70-year diplomatic relationship and historic Silk Road ties, calling Egypt a key Global South partner and pledging to deepen collaboration for regional stability and sustainable development.

He reaffirmed China’s commitment to supporting Egypt’s growth and building a ‘shared future’. In June, Egypt and China agreed to enhance cooperation in electric vehicles, electronics, AI, water desalination, and supply chains.

Bilateral trade reached $17 billion, with major Chinese investments in projects like the Iconic Tower, the electric train, and the TEDA-Suez economic zone.

Earlier, in a press release, the Chinese embassy in Cairo said Ambassador Liu described the Chinese premier’s first official visit to Egypt as a sign of deepening bilateral ties.

He expressed confidence it would boost the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two nations, citing close presidential rapport and shared goals. The embassy noted Egypt’s firm commitment to the One China principle and China’s support for Egypt’s sovereignty. High-level exchanges and cooperation across government, legislative, and party levels were said to be intensifying.

China remains Egypt’s largest trading partner and key investor, with the TEDA Suez Economic and Trade Zone spurring local growth. Sectors such as renewable energy and manufacturing have seen increased Chinese investment.

The embassy also pointed to robust financial cooperation supporting Egypt’s development, the historic nature of bilateral ties, the ‘Year of the China-Egypt Partnership’ cultural events, rising interest in Chinese language study, and growing air connectivity.