On May 13, 2017, the Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs organized a working dinner in honor of the delegation of the African Studies Unit of the Chinese Center for Contemporary International Studies (CICIR). The topics discussed were the Egyptian-Chinese and Sino-African economic cooperation, in Egypt, as well as Chinese-African cooperation in the areas of peace and security.

The discussions were held with the participation of Ambassador Ezzat Saad, Director of the Council, Ambassador Hisham Al-Zmaity, Secretary-General, Ambassador Ali Al-Hefni, Coordinator of the Standing Committee for Asian Affairs in the Council, Ambassador Ahmed Hajjaj, Board Member and a number of representatives from the General Authority for Investment. The Chinese delegation, Mr. Li Wentao, former director of Shanghai Institute for International Studies, Wang Lei and Sun Hong, included researchers at the Institute.

The meeting emphasized that Egypt faces many internal and regional challenges and is moving forward in its efforts to combat extremism and terrorism, especially since Egypt enjoys stability unlike other African countries such as Zimbabwe, which may face instability due to the lack of more stable institutions unlike the Egyptian state, which managed to maintain its existence amid the tensions experienced in the region since 2011.

The idea of ​​holding a conference to discuss ways of stabilizing the region in light of the remarkable US withdrawal from the region’s crises, as well as limiting Western attention to illegal immigration and refugees, and combating terrorism from the region, was welcomed.

In this context, in light of the fact that Egypt has a clear and independent vision that is not part of the policies of other countries, as was the case before 2011, but depends on the diversification of the allies, which is based on armaments signed by Egypt with many countries. The most important of which is the interest of both countries. 

The Chinese delegation also stressed the Chinese government’s keenness to boost investments in Egypt, taking advantage of the steps being taken on the road to reform and the Chinese government’s keenness to provide facilities to Egyptian companies. He expressed the hope that all problems will be overcome.

High profit rates, and work to form a common vision to meet all the challenges faced by the Egyptian market. China’s recognition of the importance of working with the continent’s partners, which according to economic outlook is a safe and open market for the world, which China has realized and has expanded its investment base in many countries of the continent and approved legislation and policies in this context to provide funding for these projects, especially the projects working in the field of infrastructure amid rising competition for the resources of the continent, and this is in spite of the problems faced by some of these countries, citing in this context the high deficit and foreign debt on the Ethiopian government, and its inability to repay Chinese companies invested in many infrastructure projects, as well as the existence of many security challenges, and the inability of many of these countries to achieve full stability.

China has a huge loan and employment project for the people of the continent, especially as this is an important reason to combat terrorism, as well as the provision of military grants (5000-6000) to strengthen military capabilities and the provision of military equipment and tools. 

In conclusion, Ambassador Dr. Ezzat Saad, Director of the Council, deliberated a number of topics to be discussed by the upcoming meeting between the Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs and the African Studies Unit of the Chinese Center for Contemporary International Studies, namely:

–       Combatting terrorism.

–       Current situation in the region.

–       The two sides view the future of the political situation and cooperation with the Arab League in this regard.

–       How to prevent further interference in Arab affairs from the world powers, and the impact on Arab policy-making, the escalation of conflict in the region, and the Chinese role in calming the situation.