President Xi Jinping told Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi on Tuesday that China will, as always, firmly support the African country's efforts to maintain stability and accelerate development.

Xi welcomed Sisi to the Dialogue of Emerging Market and Developing Countries at the 9th BRICS Summit on Tuesday.

In recent years, development of the nations' bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership has accelerated, while mutual political trust kept growing, Xi said.

He noted steady advancement in bilateral economic and trade cooperation, gradual implementation of major projects, smooth progress in financing cooperation and multiple highlights in cultural and civilian exchanges.

He said Beijing stands ready to advance the partnership with Cairo and expects to join hands with Cairo on pushing forward reform, development and national rejuvenation.

China attaches great importance to relations with Egypt, Xi said. The two sides should maintain close, high-level contacts, he said, and support each other on issues concerning core interests.

Beijing and Cairo should align respective development strategies and use infrastructure construction and capacity cooperation to forge Egypt into a pivotal state along the Belt and Road Initiative, he said.

China supports Chinese enterprises' investment in Egypt and will work with Egypt to promote trade and investment facilitation, Xi said.

The two nations should also deepen anti-terrorism and law enforcement security cooperation and strengthen coordination on international and regional affairs, he added.

Sisi said his country puts a high value on the comprehensive strategic partnership with China and is happy with development of their relations. He said Egypt supports the Belt and Road Initiative and expects to connect its development strategy with the initiative, as well as strengthen cooperation with China in fields including investment and infrastructure.

Egypt appreciates China's holding of the Dialogue of Emerging Market and Developing Countries and supports strengthened cooperation among developing nations, he said.

After the meeting, the two presidents witnessed the signing of cooperation documents in fields including economy and technology, transportation and law enforcement security.

lixiaokun@chinadaily.com.cn