China's Ambassador on 74th National Day: Egypt is a Strategic Partner

CAIRO - 18 September 2023: On the occasion of China's 74th National Day, Ambassador Liao Liqiang in Cairo expressed that China and Egypt are not only dear friends and brothers but also trustworthy partners. He highlighted the deepening of the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries under the guidance of their respective leaders.

 

In his speech, Ambassador Liqiang emphasized the mutual support both nations provide on core issues and major concerns. He congratulated Egypt, on behalf of the Chinese government and its people, for its recent invitation to join the BRICS community in August. The Ambassador expressed confidence that Egypt's addition, along with other nations, would invigorate the BRICS cooperation mechanism.

 

"Over the past decade, China and Egypt have collaborated to align the 'Belt and Road Initiative' with 'Egypt Vision 2030', achieving fruitful results," said Liqiang. He mentioned that China remained Egypt's top trading partner for 11 consecutive years.

 

Chinese companies operating in Egypt have constructed Africa's tallest building, its first light electric train, and assisted Egypt in establishing the largest fiberglass production base, the biggest vaccine storage center, and the fastest fixed broadband network in the continent. Furthermore, the Suez Teda economic and trade cooperation zone between China and Egypt has attracted 137 Chinese and foreign companies, generating employment for approximately 50,000 individuals.

 

Highlighting recent collaborations, the Ambassador stated that both nations had signed a memorandum of understanding concerning the export of Egyptian mangoes to China, expecting this to further boost trade exchanges.

 

Ambassador Liqiang accentuated the longstanding mutual interest in cultural exchanges between the two ancient civilizations. Earlier this year, President Xi Jinping responded to a letter from Egyptian artist Ahmed Nawar and other Arab artists, encouraging artistic creativity in China, Egypt, and the Arab world. An artwork by a young Egyptian artist was even taken aboard the Tianzhou space station on a Shenzhou spacecraft.

 

Additionally, Egypt was among the first batch of tourist destinations China resumed its group tours to, at the start of the year. Chinese tourists returned to Egypt at a growing pace, with 18 direct flights currently operating between the two countries weekly. As the fog of the pandemic continues to dissipate, Liqiang anticipates more intense interactions between the two peoples.

 

The Ambassador conveyed his excitement about hosting a physical reception for the first time since the pandemic outbreak to celebrate China's National Day, expressing his happiness to meet with Chinese citizens and foreign friends once again to commemorate the 74th anniversary of the People's Republic of China.

 

The People's Republic of China celebrates its National Day on October 1st, marking the day in 1949 when it was officially established. Over the years, China has emphasized building and maintaining robust international relationships.

 

Its ties with Egypt, tracing back thousands of years, have been of strategic importance, especially in recent decades. The growth in economic, cultural, and political collaborations between the two countries serves as a testament to their mutual commitment to forging a shared future.

 

The Belt and Road Initiative, launched by China, seeks to create trade and infrastructure networks connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along ancient trade routes, with Egypt being a crucial node in this expansive vision.