Egyptian-Chinese partnership to thrive in coming decades

Vice-Premier Liu Yandong addresses a forum of Chinese and Egyptian university chiefs held in Cairo University on Saturday. [Photo by Hou Liqiang/China Daily]

On May 30, 1956, Egypt was the first Arab and African country to establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China. This year marks the 60th anniversary of this historic step, and in commemoration of this event, the two sides agreed that the celebration will not be limited to one day only, but instead be a year-long celebration. They agreed to make 2016 the Sino-Egyptian Culture Year, in commemoration of the start of relations between the two countries.

Since then, relations have taken an upward trend, and they are bound to achieve even more success and prosperity, as they are more vibrant and dynamic than at any time before. During the last two years, there have been three presidential visits. During the first visit by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi to China, relations between the two countries were elevated to a "comprehensive strategic partnership". He will visit China again in September to attend the G20 summit in Hangzhou. Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Egypt last January and delivered a historical speech at the Arab League headquarters in Cairo. He also attended the inauguration of the Sino-Egyptian culture year in Luxor. These visits have and will have widespread effects.

The two countries have a shared strong will to strengthen and deepen their cooperation and coordination on all fronts. There is no doubt that the convergence in policies will help further strengthen relations. Both countries endorse a policy of non-interference in their foreign relations, call for win-win cooperation among nations, and reject double standards in dealing with international threats such as terrorism and separatism. The two countries also call for reform of international institutions such as the UN Security Council, the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. Egypt also welcomes China to step up its role in helping to solve the problems in the Middle East.

When President Xi Jinping announced the Belt and Road Initiative, the Silk Road Economic Belt and 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, in 2013, Egypt was one of the first countries to welcome the initiative. Egypt is also a founding member of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. China, on its part, has shown solidarity with Egypt in the past years. The Chinese government has encouraged Chinese companies to invest in Egypt and the number of Chinese tourists increased by 35 percent in the first quarter of 2016.

The cooperation between the two countries thrives in different fields, including the political, economic, cultural and educational fields. The Sino-Egyptian Culture Year is adding momentum to the already prospering relations. Exchanges, festivals, forums, exhibitions and other events are being organized in both countries reciprocally. At the Cairo International Book Fair 2016, the Chinese pavilion was a prominent phenomenon that attracted many visitors, with many books translated from Chinese into Arabic and vice versa. Egyptian people are becoming more and more acquainted with the Chinese language and culture. Also Chinese people have ample opportunity to know more about the different aspects of the Egyptian culture.

However strong the existing friendship between the two countries, I am confident that this is not the peak for relations, which began at the Bandung Conference 60 years ago. The coming decades will witness more and more development and win-win partnership.

The author is the Egyptian Ambassador to China.