Egypt says China embassy continues providing services to businessmen

CAIRO – 21 February 2020: Egypt denied reports that its embassy in China stopped providing services to businessmen and importers, due to the coronavirus outbreak, affirming that the embassy continues to certify documents related to trade and import.

Certifying documents is one of the most important procedures related to commercial shipments, said the Egyptian Foreign Ministry in a report published by the media center of the Cabinet, adding that the imported goods are released only when related documents are fully submitted.

All the documents that require certification by the Egyptian embassy in China are collected from nationwide to be handed to the embassy in Beijing, the ministry said.

After less than a month of suspension over the coronavirus outbreak, state-owned flag carrier EgyptAir said it would operate a weekly Cairo-Beijing-Guangzhou flight as of next Thursday, February 27th.

In a statement on Thursday, the company said the decision was taken in response to requests for travelling to China.

Chinese Ambassador in Cairo Liao Liqiang Praised Egypt’s supportive role to China amid the Coronavirus crises. During a press conference, Tuesday, Liqiang said that China will remember Egypt’s support forever.

“China is keen to cooperate with all countries around the world to ensure the prevention of the spread of the Coronavirus and to ensure the safety of travelers.” Liqiang added during the fourth press conference organized by the Chinese Embassy in Cairo to review the efforts of China confronting Coronavirus.

Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a message to President Abdel Fattah El Sisi thanking him for Egypt's support for China in the face of coronavirus and for the medical supplies sent to China, according to Liqiang.

He explained that Xi asserted, in the message, the depth of strategic partnership between Egypt and China, adding that his country can overcome coronavirus.

The ambassador thanked Egypt's Ambassador in Beijing Mohamed el Badri and the members of the Egyptian embassy there for the support they showed to China.

He expressed happiness over the decision of EgyptAir to resume flights to and from China as of February 27, adding that China has taken the preventive measures to guarantee the health safety of the passengers and the crews.