China's President Xi Jinping arrived in Egypt on Wednesday evening, officially kick starting the second leg of his three-nation Middle East tour.

The Chinese leader was greeted by his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and several senior ministers on his arrival. This is the first visit by a Chinese President to Egypt in 12 years.

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On his arrival, President Xi nostalgically quoted a famous Egyptian proverb, "If you drink from the Nile, you will return", recollecting his visit to Egypt many years back as a senior Chinese minister.

On Thursday, Xi was given a complete ceremonial welcome by the Egyptian President - clearly showing the importance that Cairo attaches to this historic visit.

The grand welcome ceremony was followed by hours of serious dialogues by the respective presidents and ministers of both countries. The three hours of negotiations led to the signing of 21 economic deals between both countries - m arking a new era of close economic ties between China and Egypt.

China has also pledged $1 billion to Egypt's Central Bank and an additional $700 million loan to the state-owned National Bank of Egypt.

China's one billion aid will surely help Egypt in boosting its foreign exchange reserves, which has been sharply declining ever since the political uprising in 2011.

President Xi's historic visit to Egypt also marks 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and Egypt. Egypt also was first Arab country to initiate diplomatic ties with China.

Some political analysts, however, have been quick to point out that Xi's historic visit has come close on the heels of the 4^th anniversary of Egypt uprising, celebrated annually on Jan. 25. The revolt led to the end of Hosni Mubarak's 30-year autocratic rule.

China has clarified that President Xi's visit has nothing to do with anniversary of Egypt uprising.

The president's final stop in his Middle East tour is Iran. President Xi's visit to Iran will be closely watched by international community because during his visit to Saudi Arabia, he apparently pledged China's support for the Yemeni government, which is engaged in war against Iran-backed militants.

Tagschinese president, Egypt