Xi says culture year boosts China-Egypt understanding

The 2016 Chinese-Egyptian Culture Year has enhanced the understanding and friendship between people of the two great nations, Chinese President Xi Jinping said in a congratulatory message on Thursday.

Xi made the comment to the closing ceremony of the event, which was launched to mark the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Egypt.

"Bilateral relations have continuously progressed with concerted efforts from both sides in the 60 years and benefited the two countries and two peoples, and have become a model for China's ties with the Arab world, African countries and South-South cooperation," Xi said.

China and Egypt held more than 100 cultural activities in 25 provincial regions and cities in the two countries, covering literature and art, books, broadcast, film and television as well as youth and education.

This first culture year between China and Arab countries deepened people's understanding under the Belt and Road Initiative, and was a successful exchange program, Xi said.

China is willing to work with Egypt to strengthen cultural exchanges and cooperation to lay a solid social foundation for the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership, he said.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi also sent a congratulatory message to the event.