"China will continue to support Chinese companies to participate in projects in ... Iran's energy sector," Zhang said, emphasizing that such commercial cooperation has always been transparent, normal and open.
During Xi's visit to Egypt, the two countries will develop a comprehensive plan for further cooperation. Xi will attend the signing ceremony of a number of cooperative documents and the unveiling of the second phase of the China-Egypt Suez Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone.
It will be a milestone visit as the two countries celebrate the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties in Cairo.
In his speech at the League of Arab States headquarters, Xi will put forward fresh proposals on deepening pragmatic cooperation between China and Middle East nations.
Over the past decade, China's trade with the Middle East has grown from 20 billion U.S. dollars to 230 billion U.S. dollars. The figure is expected to top 500 billion U.S. dollars by 2020.
The visit will reinforce the time-honored friendship and deepen mutual trust, pragmatic cooperation and cultural exchanges in a bid to realize common development, Bai Lianlei said.
CULTURAL EXCHANGES
People-to-people exchanges will be another focus of Xi's trip.
He will deliver an important speech to Middle Eastern and Arab nations at the headquarters of the League of Arab States in Cairo. He will also present awards to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to China-Arab friendship.
Xi will attend a ceremony marking the beginning of the China-Egypt cultural exchange year.
During his trips to Saudi Arabia and Iran, the countries will reach agreements on strengthening people-to-people exchanges.
China has always advocated equal exchanges among different cultures and respect for diversity.
Li Guofu, head of the Middle East Department of the China Institute of International Studies, said China and Middle East countries experienced similar suffering during the colonial era and have common hopes for development. He said the countries now need to enhance mutual understanding in order to tap into the huge potential for cooperation.
