Within the framework of cooperation between ECFA and the Embassy of China in Cairo, the exchange mechanism between the two sides was launched, in a ceremony at the embassy headquarters on April 18, 2023. The first joint event was also held within the framework of this mechanism, under the slogan “Advancing the building of the China-Arab community with a shared future by benefiting from Chinese-style modernization”. Ten persons from the Chinese side participated in this important event, led by China’s Ambassador to Cairo, Mr. Liao Liqiang, Minister Plenipotentiary, Zhang Tao, Minister and Advisor for Economic and Commercial Affairs, Zhou Zhengcheng, and Minister and Advisor for Political Affairs, Zhao Liang. ECFA delegation included Ambassadors Mohamed Al-Orabi, ECFA Chairman, Ezzat Saad, ECFA Director, Magdy Amer, Abdel Fattah Ezz El-Din, Salah Halima, Ali El-Hefny, Mohamed Badr El-Din Zayed, Dr. Diaa Helmy, and the businessman, Mohamed Qassem.
Both the Chinese Ambassador and ECFA Chairman delivered an opening speech, in which they praised the extent of the progress of bilateral relations between Egypt and China, and the keenness of the two countries to enhance this positive trend in all fields, in parallel with strengthening the China-Arab cooperation frameworks and advancing them towards broader horizons, while benefiting from the “Chinese Path to Modernization” put forward at the twentieth National Congress of the Communist Party of China, which was successfully held in October 2022, and which is a distinguished product of the ancient Chinese civilization extending for more than five thousand years, and which includes unique and inspiring characteristics, which addressed the concerns of developing countries, and expressed their aspirations sincerely, not least the achievement of harmonious coexistence between man and nature, and its call to respect the history and traditions of various countries, which are equal in principle, regardless of their size, and also to respect their own choices and visions in development paths and modernization models, without dependence or imposition of conditions from abroad, and consistently with the interests of the peoples of these countries, with their various sects and ethnicities, which differs from the conditional Western-style development path.
In this context, the general debate session included an exchange of visions about the inspirations and opportunities that the Chinese modernization theory can offer to Egypt and the Arab countries, as well as Chinese mediation in reaching an agreement to resume diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran on March 10, 2023, which revealed a deep Chinese understanding and awareness of regional issues, including Beijing’s ability to deal with hot and sensitive issues in the region, the region’s vision of China’s role and influences, and regional issues in which it can play a greater role, including regional and international issues in which cooperation between Egypt and China can be strengthened. This is in addition to the region’s vision of the United States’ role and the extent of its presence, including what adjustments the United States can make to its policy in the region, in light of the increasing Chinese role there. Finally, the latest developments in the situation in Sudan, and the available ways to address them.
