Chinese and Egyptian senior officials, business leaders and investors convened on Sunday at the first China-Egypt Investment Forum in Cairo to explore new growth drivers for investment cooperation.
While addressing the forum, Chinese Ambassador to Egypt Liao Liqiang said that the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative is closely aligned with Egypt's Vision 2030, which has led to fruitful results in practical cooperation between the two sides.
"China is currently among the most active and fastest-growing investors in Egypt. According to Egyptian official data, more than 2,800 Chinese companies are operating in Egypt," Liao said.
Ling Ji, vice minister of commerce and deputy China international trade representative, noted that China has remained Egypt's largest trading partner for 13 consecutive years, with the China-Egypt TEDA Suez Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone having attracted nearly 200 enterprises.
It is hoped that China and Egypt remain important friends and reliable partners on the path of development, working together to promote the steady and healthy growth of investment cooperation for the benefit of both peoples, he said.
Ling also called for strengthened bilateral cooperation in consolidating cooperation advantages in traditional industries, seizing cooperation opportunities in emerging industries, and tapping the cooperation potential in future industries.
Hassan El-Khatib, Egyptian minister of investment and foreign trade, affirmed the country's commitment to expanding bilateral cooperation in investment and trade into broader areas.
Egypt seeks balanced trade and investment relations through attracting more Chinese investments and expanding the base of joint production for export, El-Khatib said.
Organized by the Chinese Embassy in Cairo, Egypt's General Authority for Investment and Free Zones, and the Egyptian Businessmen's Association, the event aimed to build a platform for communication and coordination, and jointly explore new growth drivers for investment cooperation.
Bringing together over 200 Chinese and Egyptian enterprises, it featured a series of presentations and panel discussions, sub-forums on cooperation in the fields of textile, new energy and the digital economy, the first session of the China-Egypt investment working group, and a meeting of the Suez Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone Intergovernmental Coordination Committee.
China, Egypt explore new growth drivers for investment cooperation at forum
China, Egypt explore new growth drivers for investment cooperation at forum
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Tuesday that mediation efforts of the Pakistani side regarding the Middle East tensions are in the common interests of all parties.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks in his talks with Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar in Beijing.
During their talks, the two sides exchanged views on current international issues and regional conflicts.
Wang welcomed the visit of the Pakistani side to Beijing for discussion on easing tensions in the Middle East, just after its holding of a quadrilateral foreign ministers' meeting in Islamabad.
He said China supports and looks forward to Pakistan playing a unique and important role in easing the situation and resuming peace talks. This process is no easy task, and Pakistan's mediation efforts are in line with the common interests of all parties, Wang added.
He noted China is willing to make joint efforts with Pakistan to end the hostilities as soon as possible, create opportunities for peace and open the window for peace talks.
On bilateral ties, Wang said this year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan, calling on both sides to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries and constantly advance the building of a China-Pakistan community with a shared future.
For his part, Dar said the Pakistan-China friendship is precious and deeply rooted in people's hearts, adding that Pakistan is willing to work with China to promote the continuous development of the all-weather strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries.
Dar thanked China for supporting Pakistan's mediation of the situation in Iran, adding that the current conflict has disrupted international energy supplies and caused heavy damage to developing countries.
Noting that solutions can only be found through negotiation, Dar said Pakistan is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with China to push all parties to start peace talks as soon as possible and restore regional peace.
The two sides also put forward a five-point initiative for restoring peace and stability in the Gulf and the Middle East region:
I. Immediate cessation of hostilities: China and Pakistan call for immediate cessation of hostilities and utmost efforts to prevent the conflict from spreading. Humanitarian assistance must be allowed to all war-affected areas.
II. Start of peace talks as soon as possible. Sovereignty, territorial integrity, national independence and security of Iran and the Gulf states should be safeguarded. Dialogue and diplomacy is the only viable option to resolve conflicts. China and Pakistan support the relevant parties in initiating talks, with all parties committing to peaceful resolution of disputes, and refraining from the use or the threat of use of force during peace talks.
III. Security of nonmilitary targets. The principle of protecting civilians in military conflict should be observed. China and Pakistan call on parties to the conflict to immediately stop attacks on civilians and nonmilitary targets, and fully adhere to International Humanitarian Law, and stop attacking important infrastructure, including energy, desalination and power facilities, and peaceful nuclear infrastructure, such as nuclear power plants.
IV. Security of shipping lanes. The Strait of Hormuz, together with its adjacent waters, is an important global shipping route for goods and energy. China and Pakistan call on the parties to protect the security of ships and crew members stranded in the Strait of Hormuz, allow the early and safe passage of civilian and commercial ships, and restore normal passage through the Strait as soon as possible.
V. Primacy of the United Nations Charter. China and Pakistan call for efforts to practice true multilateralism, to jointly strengthen the primacy of the United Nations, and to support the conclusion of an agreement for establishing a comprehensive peace framework and realizing lasting peace based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and international law.
Pakistan's mediation efforts in common interests of all parties: Chinese FM
Pakistan's mediation efforts in common interests of all parties: Chinese FM
