Chinese national flags are seen fluttering in Cairo on January 20 before Chinese President Xi Jinping arrives for a state visit to Egypt. [Photo by Hou Liqiang/chinadaily.com.cn]

CAIRO - Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday hailed the historic friendship and fruitful cooperation between China and Egypt and called for greater concerted efforts to promote bilateral ties.

In his dedication to a special issue of the China Today magazine's Arabic edition, Xi noted that over the past 60 years China and Egypt have maintained sound and steady development of bilateral relations and "set a model for China-Arab and China-Africa relations as well as for South-South cooperation."

Since ancient times, the people of China and Egypt, both among the world's oldest civilizations, have carried out friendly exchanges and promoted mutual understanding through the land and maritime Silk Roads, Xi noted, recalling that Egypt was the first Arab and African nation to establish diplomatic ties with the People's Republic of China.

Noting that the two sides agreed in 2014 to build a comprehensive strategic partnership, Xi emphasized that China always treats and promotes its relationship with Egypt from a strategic and long-term perspective.

"We are ready to work with the Egyptian side to carry forward our traditional friendship, learn from each other, and deepen our practical cooperation in various fields under the Belt and Road Initiative, so as to let our people share development benefits and enjoy a better life," Xi added.

The special issue was dedicated to the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Egypt, and released in Cairo on Wednesday before Xi arrives for a state visit to the Arab country.

Xi's Egyptian counterpart, President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi, also offered a dedication to the magazine, in which he extended his warm welcome for Xi's visit.

"Egypt treasures its close ties with China," he wrote in the message, expressing the hope that bilateral relations will enjoy continuous and sound development in various fields.

Cairo will actively respond to Xi's call for reviving the Silk Roads, and welcomes more Chinese investment in its building of a "new Egypt," added the president.

Egypt will work with China to achieve common interests and future development, which will also benefit the entire humanity, al-Sisi wrote.

The Arab edition of China Today has been published by China International Publishing Group since 1964. It is the only Arab-language comprehensive monthly magazine in China.