China looks forward to Sisi’s participation in China-Africa Forum

CAIRO - 8 July 2018: China looks forward to President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi’s participation in the upcoming Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), scheduled to take place in Beijing in September, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Sunday.

This was during Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry’s meeting with his Chinese counterpart as part of his two-day visit to Beijing, China, during which he will participate in the eighth ministerial meeting of the China-Arab Cooperation Forum, set to be held on July 10, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ spokesperson Ahmed Abu Zeid.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Shoukry praised the historic bilateral relations between Egypt and China, which has been promoted to include “the comprehensive strategic partnership,” referring to several meetings held between Chinese and Egyptian leaders to improve cooperation and coordination between the two states.

As for the economic cooperation between the two countries, Shoukry highlighted that Egypt praises the role played by Chinese investments in major Egyptian national projects such as the new Administrative Capital, the two coal-fired plants in the Red Sea port of Hamrawein, Ataqa water storage and pumping project, the electric train project, the project to develop Abu Qir and Alexandria line, the New Valley Phosphate Complex for the production of phosphoric acid, the expansion of the first phase of the Special Economic Zone project in the northwest of the Suez Gulf, as well as the development project of the Ain Sokhna Port.


Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry’s meeting with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi as a part of his two-day visit to Beijing, China-Press Photo

In this regard, Shoukry expressed Egypt’s eagerness to facilitate the entrance of Egyptian exports to the Chinese market and encourage Chinese tourism to Egypt, which has witnessed a remarkable increase in the past two years. The trade volume between the two countries is estimated at about $10.985 billion in 2016.

He stressed Egypt’s keenness to support China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and to promote for the values of peaceful coexistence and sustainable development as well as cultural, political and economical links between different countries.

He encouraged his Chinese counterpart to increase Chinese investments in Suez Canal for its vital importance as a main trade route in the international trade movement and important factor in the BRI initiative.

As for the political level, Shoukry stressed the importance of holding a political consultation committee between the two states, focusing on several international and regional issues.

The meeting also tackled the ways to combat terrorism and reform the Security Council, the situation in Syria, Libya, Yemen, and South Sudan, Iranian Nuclear deal, Israeli-Palestinian negotiations, and the recent developments in the Renaissance Dam.