At the invitation of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), Ambassador Dr. Ezzat Saad participated in the international symposium held in Beijing, over Two days, on April 9^th and 10^th, 2019, under the slogan “Sino-African Cooperation … and Communication among Peoples”.

The participation took place as follows:

1. His Excellency presided over a session on “China and Africa… mutual learning among Civilizations and Communication among peoples”, during which he emphasized the following points, before giving the floor to the speakers (Six speakers from China and Africa):

• The concept of mutual learning among civilizations and communication among peoples must be viewed in the context of the new international relations pattern defended by China within the framework of its active foreign policy objectives, which include, in addition to mutual learning among civilizations and communication among peoples, the creation of an international community sharing the future of humanity.

• Mutual learning among civilizations and communication among peoples, that are among cooperation priorities, are clearly reflected in all forms of cooperation between China and all developing countries, including Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), Sino-Arab Cooperation Forum, and China-CELAC (Community of Latin American and Caribbean States) Cooperation Forum, in addition to other bilateral and multilateral cooperation forms between China and many countries in the world.

• The abovementioned concept has been emphasized in article 15 of the Beijing Declaration which issued at the conclusion of the Summit of the Forum on China Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), in Beijing, on September 4, 2018.

2. Prior to the launch of the abovementioned symposium, the President of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) held a meeting on 9^th of April that brought together researchers, academics and former senior officials, in addition to Egypt, South Africa, Senegal, Nigeria and Tanzania, during which the China Africa Institute has been launched. Selection of representatives from these countries as a member in the International Advisory Committee of the Institute for the period April 2019 – April 2022 took place in this meeting. During the meeting, the Chinese side delivered letters of credence to Members of the Committee including Mr. Joaquim Alberto Chissano, former President of Mozambique, in a simple ceremony in which the External Relations Manager of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China had participated.