On June 17, 2006, Premier Wen Jiabao of the State Council held talks with his Egyptian counterpart Ahmed Nazef in Cairo. Both sides conducted in-depth discussions on deepening bilateral strategic cooperation and reached broad consensus.

Wen said that since the establishment of diplomatic ties 50 years ago, bilateral relations have been continuously consolidated and developed. Bilateral friendly cooperation today has reached an unprecedented level in both depth and width, bringing tangible benefits to both peoples. China is satisfied with the sound situation in the development of bilateral relations. History has proven and will continue to prove that both countries are good friends relying on each other and good partners with sincere cooperation.

Nazef said that Premier Wen's visit to Egypt on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties will surely push for development of bilateral strategic partnership. Both Egypt and China have ancient civilizations and share broad common interest. Egypt deems China its close friend and important development partners and is willing to draw lessons from China's successful experience and enhance bilateral exchanges and cooperation in the fields of politics, economy and culture.

The two Prime Ministers indicated that both sides should summarize the past, face towards the future and look at bilateral relations from a long-term and strategic perspective with a view to pushing for more rapid and better development of bilateral cooperation.

Both sides made highly positive comments on the signing of the implementation outline on deepening strategic and cooperative relations between the two countries, emphasizing that the outline is a comprehensive blueprint for future cooperation in all areas and is of great significance to deepening bilateral strategic cooperative relations. Both sides would like to make concerted efforts to well implement it.

During the talks, both sides agreed to take the following measures to push for the development of bilateral relations. First, exchanges between the governments, parliaments and parties of the two countries should be maintained to strengthen strategic dialogue and exchange views on bilateral relations and major international issues in a timely manner. Second, new areas and approaches for economic and trade cooperation should be explored for balanced development of bilateral trade. Both sides should increase mutual investment, enhance the level of technological cooperation and expand cooperation in the areas of industry, agriculture, fishery, telecommunications, energy, transportation and infrastructure construction. Third, exchanges should be promoted in the fields of culture, education, science & technology, health and tourism to build up mutual understanding. Fourth, consultation and coordination in international and regional affairs should be kept closer to push for democratic international relations, promote civilization dialogue and build a harmonious world.

Both sides also exchanged views on Sino-Arab relations. Wen said that Egypt is a big country of great significance in the Arab world. The establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Egypt 50 years ago has opened a door to Sino-Arab ties. China cherishes its traditional friendship with Arab countries and will as always support the just cause of Arab states for the resumption of national legal rights and interest and their efforts in exploring a path to development suitable to their respective national conditions. China is willing to make joint efforts with Arab countries including Egypt to strengthen Sino-Arab collective cooperation through the China-Arab Cooperation Forum and other channels in a bid to establish a new Sino-Arab partnership of equality, mutual benefits and orientation towards the future. Nazef noted that Egypt also hopes to advance the development of Arab-Sino relations with China.

Following the talks, Wen and Nazef jointly signed the implementation outline on deepening strategic and cooperative relations between the two countries and attended the signing ceremony of the agreement on economic and technological cooperation between the two governments, the memorandum of understanding on the establishment of strategic dialogue mechanism between the two Foreign Ministries, the memorandum of understanding on building rural primary schools between the two governments and other bilateral cooperation documents. The two Prime Ministers also attended the ceremony to inaugurate several projects including the China-assisted investment service building in the Egyptian Suez economic zone. On the same day, Wen met at the hotel where he stayed with the staff of the Chinese Embassy in Egypt and representatives from Chinese-funded institutions, overseas Chinese and Chinese students.