Media Eyes | China-Egypt "the belt and road initiative" Cooperation Fruitful

Source: Guangming Daily

Reporter: Xiao Tianyi

Since the "Belt and Road Initiative" initiative was put forward, Egypt has responded positively, and the joint construction of the "Belt and Road Initiative" project between China and Egypt has blossomed in many places, made steady progress, and achieved fruitful results. Nadia Hilmi, a professor of political science at Beni Suve University in Egypt, said that after years of hard work, the "Belt and Road" initiative has truly integrated into the all-round development of the Arab world. China's development will not only push its own people towards a happy life, but will also benefit the people of the world.

Promote hard connectivity of cooperative projects

Egypt is located along the Maritime Silk Road and is a natural partner in the joint construction of "the belt and road initiative. Egypt is also the first country to join the "Belt and Road Initiative" initiative. The "2030 Vision" put forward by the Egyptian government is highly compatible with the "Belt and Road Initiative" initiative. Development plans such as the development of the Suez Canal Corridor, the construction of a new administrative capital, and the construction of renewable energy contain good opportunities for both sides to discuss and cooperate and share development. After years of hard construction, at present, the CBD landmark tower, the "tallest building in Africa", the new administrative capital of Egypt, has been capped, the suburban railway of "Ramadan 10th City" has begun to take shape, and the high-rise complex of Alamein New City has started. The Sino-Egyptian "the belt and road initiative" cooperation project has been moving forward and bearing fruit.

In addition to the major infrastructure projects signed by the two governments, Chinese private enterprises are also actively expanding the Egyptian market and helping Egypt realize its industrialization transformation. China has the advantages of capital, technology and development experience, Egypt has a good geographical location and demographic dividend, and the Sino-Egyptian TEDA Suez Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone has greatly improved the efficiency of resource allocation. Jushi Group, China XD, Angel Yeast, New Hope Group, Midea, Konka and other manufacturing companies have invested and set up factories in Egypt. Take the Jushi Egyptian glass fiber project, one of China's largest investment projects in Egypt, as an example. The Jushi Egyptian production base was completed and put into operation in August 2018, with an annual production capacity of 200000 tons and a cumulative investment of US $0.58 billion, creating 2500 local jobs. The project fills the gap in the glass fiber industry in Egypt and makes Egypt the fifth largest industrial producer and exporter of glass fiber in the world.

In recent years, high-end technology manufacturing, medical and pharmaceutical, information and communication, aerospace and other fields have become new highlights of China-Egypt investment cooperation. In October 2019, Foton and Egypt launched an electric vehicle manufacturing cooperation project and delivered 50 pure electric buses. This is the first cooperation project for the localization of new energy buses between China and Egypt, and it is also the largest pure electric bus order in Egypt so far. The project will become a model of Sino-Egyptian cooperation in automobile production and bring the industrial revolution of new energy technology to Egypt.

Enhancing People-to-People Connectivity between China and Egypt

There are many "firsts" in the course of cultural exchanges between China and Egypt: Egypt is the first country in the Middle East and Africa to set up a Chinese department in a university, the first Arab country to broadcast Chinese series on television, and the first outbound destination for Chinese mainland citizens in Africa.

In recent years, the "Happy Chinese New Year" and "Horus Cup" Sino-Egyptian Wushu Sanda Competition, "My Chinese Story" Arabic Essay Competition, "Sing Egypt" Chinese Song Grand Prix, and the All-Egyptian Chinese Contemporary Novel Youth Translation Competition, etc. Activities have become a brand of cultural exchanges between China and Egypt, and are deeply loved by the people of the two countries, especially young people. A series of seminars and lectures such as "China in the eyes of Egyptians" and "Journey of Chinese Culture" have long attracted the attention of all walks of life in Egypt. In 2021, two new Confucius Institutes were established in Egypt, and significant progress was made in the entry of Chinese into Egyptian primary and secondary school classrooms. Egypt's four Confucius Institutes, two Confucius Classrooms and two "Luban workshops" have witnessed the rapid development of people to people exchanges between China and Egypt. Under the outbreak, the China-Egypt cloud classroom, cloud exhibition, cloud food, cloud performance, cloud lecture witnessed the two countries people-to-people bond. The exchange and mutual learning between the two major civilizations of China and Egypt have entered a new era, and the friendship between China and Egypt has become more deeply rooted in the hearts of the people.

Help the two countries cooperate to fight the epidemic.

The successful cooperation between China and Egypt in the field of vaccines also vividly interprets the profound connotation of the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries, demonstrates the firm determination of both sides to unite and fight the epidemic, and reflects the sincere feelings of the people of China and Egypt. On the evening of March 1, 2020, when President Sisi's Special Envoy and Egyptian Minister of Health and Population, Dr. Halle, embarked on a trip to China with epidemic prevention supplies, the three world cultural heritage sites of Cairo Saladin Castle, Luxor Karnak Temple and Aswan Philae Temple simultaneously displayed a five-star red flag light show to express the Egyptian people's firm support for the Chinese people in the fight against the new coronary pneumonia epidemic.

"Vote for me with Peach and return it with Qiong Yao." Up to now, China has provided a total of 4 batches of vaccines to Egypt, and has also delivered 33.5 million doses of vaccines to Egypt through commercial procurement and localized production. Egypt also became the first country in Africa to cooperate with China in the production of new crown vaccine. This fully proves that China and Egypt are joining hands in the first square of international cooperation in the fight against the epidemic and fully demonstrates the practical efforts made by China and Egypt in the global fight against the epidemic.

Egyptian Minister of International Cooperation Mashat recently stated that China is one of Egypt's most important development partners. The Egyptian side thanks China for its long-term support and assistance to Egypt's economic and social development, especially its selfless assistance to Egypt during the new coronary pneumonia epidemic, which fully reflects the deep friendship and sincere feelings between the two countries. The Egyptian side highly appreciates China's people-centered development concept. Egypt and China are both populous countries and deeply realize that development is the key to solving all problems. Egypt hopes to learn more from China's development experience and introduce advanced technology to promote Egypt's social and economic development and enhance the well-being of the people.