BEIJING, Dec. 24 -- China and Egypt on Wednesday pledged to promote bilateral cooperation on big construction projects during the first China visit by President Abdel-Fattah Sisi.

The pledge was made in the meeting between Premier Li Keqiang and Sisi in the Great Hall of the People.

China is ready to make joint efforts with Egypt to push bilateral ties to a new high, Li said.

He called on the two countries to strengthen cooperation in such areas as infrastructure construction, trade, investment, and high technology. China wants to participate in the construction of Egypt's big projects including high-speed railway, railway, undersea tunnels and nuclear power plant, and to promote the construction of Suez trade cooperation zone.

The premier also called for closer cultural exchanges between the two countries.

Sisi echoed Li saying Egypt is willing to expand its reciprocal cooperation with China in all areas, especially in investment and financing. He welcomed Chinese companies to Egypt's construction projects.

Sisi arrived in Beijing on Monday afternoon for a four-day state visit to China at the invitation of President Xi Jinping.