Xi's G20 invitation to Sisi reflects strong China-Egypt ties: Egyptian official

CAIRO - Chinese President Xi Jinping's invitation to his Egyptian counterpart, Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi, to attend the Group of 20 (G20) summit to be held in China in September reflects the uniqueness of the China-Egypt relationship, an Egyptian official has said.

Ahmed Abu Zaid, spokesperson for the Egyptian Foreign Ministry, said the China-Egypt ties have been upgraded to a comprehensive strategic partnership with frequent exchange of visits between leaders and high-ranking officials of the two countries in a recent interview.

"All this reflects that there is a strategic vision (shared by the two countries) and it is in their common interests to develop these relations and face challenges regionally and internationally," he said. "This also reflects China's keenness to stand by Egypt economically at this very critical time as China supports investment projects in Egypt."

The G20 has special importance because it is a forum for major world economies to meet annually to discuss the economic challenges facing the international community, Abu Zaid said.

During his visit to Egypt in January, President Xi invited President Sisi to attend the G20 Summit in the eastern Chinese city of Hangzhou in September.