Cairo: An Egyptian minister has said that the main purpose of President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi's expected China visit is to enhance strategic partnership between the two countries.
Egypt's International Cooperation Minister Naglaa al-Ahwani told Xinhua Saturday that China was attractive to the whole world and there was a strong and mutual desire for further cooperation between the two states.
"China is one of the most important states and (one of the fastest) growing countries in the world, with a huge potential for development," she said.
Egypt has recently established a cabinet unit focused on China, led by Prime Minister Ibrahim Mahlab, which includes a number of key ministers as members, to study fields of cooperation with China.
Egypt seeks to attract more Chinese investments, Ahwani said.
The minister said that a delegation, which includes the ministers of transport, electricity and investment, would go to China Sunday to study various project proposals with the Chinese side.
The minister said that Chinese companies could efficiently contribute to the development of the Suez Canal region.
Egypt seems to be getting closer to China and Russia, particularly after a rift in its ties with the US that rejected the overthrow of former President Mohamed Morsi by the military last year.
Still, the country desires to keep a balance in its ties with Eastern and Western states.
This has been evident from Sisi's recent visits to France and Italy and his intended visit to China offers further evidence.
"Egypt's foreign policy seeks a balance in its relations with all world states. Over the past years, we (had) focused more on the West," Ahwani said, adding that the current policy is to have balanced relations with a group of countries that have been ignored in the past, including China, Russia and the African countries.
