Bilateral relations between Egypt and China
- By Magdy Amer
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E-mail China Today, January 21, 2016
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| A performance by Tai Chi practitioners at the Chinese Cultural Center in Cairo to celebrate the 2008 Spring Festival. [Photo/China Today] |
In order to establish a clear framework for future cooperation based on a healthy and sound foundation, Egypt has established a “Unit of China” under the chairmanship of its Prime Minister. It is responsible for promoting Chinese-Egyptian cooperation, and providing an appropriate environment for successful Chinese investment in Egypt, and also to follow-up on China’s participation in Egyptian mega-projects. Moreover, the Egyptian and Chinese presidents agreed on December 2014 to establish a joint committee of the Ministries of Trade and Investment on the Egyptian side, and the Ministry of Commerce and National Development and Reform Commission on the Chinese side. Its aim is to formulate a roadmap of economic relations between the two countries and identify the highest priority of projects on the Egyptian side. The committee compiled a list of 15 priority projects that will be implemented through cooperation between Egypt and China.
The visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Egypt – the first by a Chinese president to Egypt for nearly 12 years – is expected to witness a practical embodiment of both sides’ desire to strengthen their cooperation in such vital areas as infrastructure development. The Egyptian government is targeting the launch of major projects in the coming period. They include development of the new Suez zone project, in view of the fact that a Chinese company, the Tianjin Teda Company, is carrying out the joint Chinese-Egyptian economic zone project in the northwest Gulf of Suez, and cooperation in the field of space and remote sensing. The two sides have raised their level of cooperation in the fields of security and counter-terrorism. This is of paramount importance, bearing in mind the large number and variety of threats that the international community in general and the two countries in particular face. Enhanced cooperation and coordination is vital in order to deal with this phenomenon.
There are many proposed cooperation projects with the Chinese side. They include, in the transportation sector, the establishment of an electrified railway to transport passengers between the cities of Assalam and Tenth of Ramadan; a train between Belbais and Alrubiki to transport goods; an electrified railway project between Alexandria and Abu Qir; the building of docks in the port of Alexandria; and the manufacturing of rail carriages. In the electricity sector, there are proposed bilateral projects in the field of electrical energy storage, and a project to build two power plants. In the trade and industry sector, Egypt will invite tenders for a project to establish an industrial leather zone in Alrubiki. And in the agriculture and land reclamation sector there is considerable scope for cooperation in the latter under the framework of the million and a half acres project. Other projects include the establishment of a training center to fight desertification and of a Center for Research on mechanized farming to serve the million and a half acre project. The Egyptian government is currently focusing on land reclamation, and on a center for recycling agricultural wastes and the production of organic fertilizers. In the higher education sector, Egypt proposes cooperation in the construction of a Chinese University, and a joint institute of technology/technicians. In addition, China will participate in the establishment of the new administrative capital of Egypt.
The year 2016 began with another development in the relations between the two countries – that of the Chinese President sending an official invitation to the Egyptian President to participate as a guest of honor in the G20 Summit in China this year. It is to be held in September in the southeastern city of Hangzhou.
There is no doubt that Egypt will, in its quest to create a better tomorrow and a brighter future for its people, strengthen its relations with China, which considers Egypt as a friend at times of both hardship and ease. Our two countries stand side by side and give one another mutual support at all times. China is generous with its experiences and expertise, which enabled it to form an impressive model of a unique development with Chinese characteristics. Egypt not only admires and appreciates China’s development, but also works to benefit and learn from it. As China pursues fulfillment of the ambitious Chinese Dream, it has become not just an Asian tiger, but a unique economic giant. To achieve the Egyptian dream we must learn from China’s experiences. They are the closest and most appropriate to our circumstances, especially since China proved, through its inspiring experience, that nothing is impossible.
The author is Egyptian Ambassador to China.
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