On October 18, 2022, at the invitation of the Embassy of China, Ambassador Dr. Ezzat Saad participated in a seminar on “Egypt and China in Ten Years… Progress Continues” and a salon “A Reading in President Jinping’s Thoughts on Governance and Administration”, at the Marriott Hotel Zamalek, whereby he expressed his deep gratitude and appreciation to the sponsors and organizers of this important event, while extending his congratulations to the Communist Party of China, the patron of China’s renaissance and progress – on the occasion of the 20th National Congress of the Party, and expressed his confidence that the Party Congress will reach positive results that would enhance the prosperity and welfare of the Chinese people, and the consolidation of its socialist system with Chinese characteristics under the leadership and wisdom of its General Secretary, President Xi Jinping.

Ambassador Saad added that the past ten years witnessed unprecedented momentum in Egypt-China relations. In December 2014, the two countries established a comprehensive strategic partnership, and in January 2016, the two countries signed an executive plan for five years to strengthen this strategic partnership, on the sidelines of President Xi Jinping’s historic visit to Cairo. On his part, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi visited China six times, with a visit every year from December 2014 till April 2019, which reflects the deep-rooted and strong ties between the two countries and the mutual trust between their leaders. Ambassador Saad also referred to the phone call that took place between the two Presidents in February 2021, in which they praised the progress and prosperity achieved at the level of the relations between the two countries on the 65th anniversary of their establishment. The Chinese President affirmed that his country has always attached great interest to relations with Egypt, and that it is ready to cooperate with it to consolidate mutual political trust, enhance coordination and cooperation in international and regional issues, and work together to protect multilateralism and the principles of equality and justice within international relations. President Xi Jinping also affirmed China’s cooperation with Egypt to combat the “Covid-19” pandemic, and to enhance cooperation in the field of vaccine in the framework of the actual cooperation between the two countries in this regard. He also called for additional efforts to support development strategies and build the Belt and Road together.

On his part, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi offered his warm congratulations on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China. In this regard, the President recalled the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, stressing Egypt’s full support for the Chinese position on issues related to Chinese Hong Kong, Xinjiang and the Chinese province of Taiwan, and Egypt’s full support for China’s efforts to preserve its national sovereignty, security and unity, and opposing interference in its internal affairs under the pretext of “human rights”. President El-Sisi also expressed his gratitude to China for its support to the African continent and developing countries in their battle against the “Covid-19” pandemic, adding that Egypt will further its cooperation with China in the field of vaccines. Indeed, the two countries signed an agreement in 2021 with an Egyptian pharmaceutical company (Vacsera) to produce the “Sinopharm” vaccine in Egypt.

In addition, there are many cooperation programs existing between the two countries and the new Executive Program for the years 2021-2026, including Chinese industrial investments in the Suez Canal Economic Zone, the Business District project and the surrounding area in the New Administrative Capital, the design and implementation of five residential towers in the New Alamein City, and the electric train project which connects the cities of Al-Salam and the 10th of Ramadan and the New Administrative Capital, as one of the most important infrastructure projects in which the two sides cooperate to link the Egyptian governorates, and many other projects in various fields.

Ambassador Saad also affirmed that the two countries count on joint cooperation in connection with the Belt and Road Initiative, and the Egyptian side’s keenness to confirm its interest in strengthening existing and new partnerships within the framework of the Initiative, as indicated by President El-Sisi during his participation in the Belt and Road Initiative summit held in April 2019, especially since the Initiative is in line with the development strategy adopted by Egypt, including Vision 2030. China has also shown great interest in inviting Egypt to engage in BRICS activities within the framework of (BRICS +), as Egypt – with a very limited number of countries – has become a member of the New Development Bank established under the grouping, thanks to the political support of friendly China.

With regard to political cooperation, there are common denominators between the Chinese vision of global governance and the general trends of Egyptian foreign policy, including the concept of building “a community with a shared future for mankind”, a concept within which China advocates promoting a new concept of international relations based on mutual respect, non-interference in internal affairs and cooperation on the basis of mutual benefits and common security, which is the responsibility of all countries of the world, especially with the multiple dangers looming nowadays, as there is not a single country, no matter how powerful it is, that can face global problems on its own, and therefore all countries must work together, as one force, to reach an international order based on peace and justice, and achieving development and prosperity for all.

Accordingly, there is an Egypt-China consensus on the necessity of preserving the United Nations and its specialized agencies, as the best option to provide effective guarantees for global governance, including coexistence and cooperation based on diverse and multipolar powers. In this regard, there is a consensus between the two countries that attempts by some to frame the current international situation and present it as including a club of “democracies” led by the United States of America, competing against the “authoritarian” club, which would put other countries before a choice between two rival powers, thus increasing chances of clash and confrontation, should be addressed.