China's climate special envoy lauds 'unprecedented' inclusion of 'loss and damage' in COP 27 agenda

CAIRO – 9 November 2022: In a meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shokry, China Special Envoy on Climate Change Xie Zhenhua lauded Wednesday the inclusion of loss and damage in the agenda of COP 27 for the first time ever in the history of the conference.

As reported by Youm7, Chinese Ambassador to Cairo Liao Liqiang stated last week that China backs Egypt's hosting of COP 27, which is held in Sharm El Sheikh on November 6-18.

In his speech at a press conference, Ambassador Liqiang underlined that China supports green transition in Africa by funding endeavors targeted at combating the impact of climate change, such as desertification.

Speaking of the Chinese experience with green transition, the diplomatic envoy said that his country achieved milestones in curbing carbon emissions, and increasing reliance on renewable energy. He added that China eyes partnering up with Egypt in wind energy projects among others in the field of green transition.

The diplomat also shed light on the growth of Egyptian-Chinese relations throughout his three-year tenure, attributing that to a mutual desire of the leaders of both states.

The ambassador noted that such cooperation was manifested the most during COVID-19 pandemic, and that the most fruitful phase in bilateral ties would be the next decade.

Since the outbreak of the epidemic, China supplied Egypt with anti-COVID-19 vaccine doses, and helped with building a vaccine storage, turning the country into a distribution center in Africa.

The ambassador added that the trade exchange between Egypt and China doubled in the past few years from $10 billion to $20 billion, while Chinese investments in Egypt have tripled. Liqiang pointed out that those achievements are the outcome of reciprocating visits between the two chiefs of state.

The ambassador showcased the ongoing major joint projects that are the Administrative New Capital, LRT, and New Alamain City. He also highlighted that the Chinese language is being taught at 10 Egyptian universities.

Liqiang further underscored that China aims at expanding collaboration with Egypt in the fields of space, and technology.