Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi travelled to China on Thursday to attend the opening ceremony of the 24th Winter Olympic Games in Beijing.

According to the Egyptian Presidency, El-Sisi's participation in this huge global sporting event comes at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, in light of the close and strategic relations between their two countries.

The Egyptian president joins various world leaders who will also attend Friday's opening ceremony. At least 32 heads of foreign states, heads of government, members of the royal family, and heads of international organizations are expected to attend the ceremony and related activities.

During his stay in China, President El-Sisi will hold talks with his host President Xi aimed at strengthening bilateral relations between China and Egypt.

"These talks aim to achieve the common interests of the two friendly countries and peoples. Furthermore, consultations and mutual coordination on a number of regional and international files of common interest will be resumed," the Egyptian presidency said.