Cairo said it seeks to bolster its comprehensive strategic partnership with China as both countries marked the 70th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic relations on Saturday.

On May 30, 1956, Egypt became the first Arab and African country to establish official ties with China, the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.

To mark the occasion, the two countries’ presidents, prime ministers and foreign ministers exchanged congratulatory messages, the statement said, reflecting the strong political and diplomatic ties between Cairo and Beijing.

Relations between the two countries have developed into a model of fruitful cooperation and a comprehensive strategic partnership over the past seven decades, with collaboration expanding across a wide range of fields, the statement said.

Egypt looks forward to further strengthening its comprehensive strategic partnership with China and broadening cooperation, the statement emphasized.

This would serve the interests of both countries, support development and prosperity for their peoples, and deepen cultural ties between two civilizations with histories spanning thousands of years, it added.