Zhao Liying: President Sisi Praises TEDA Cooperation Zone as Most Successful Project in Suez Canal Economic Corridor

Zhao Liying: President Sisi Praises TEDA Cooperation Zone as Most Successful Project in Suez Canal Economic Corridor
Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs website

On August 4, 2021, the Egyptian "Charter" published a written interview with Zhao Liying, Consul General in Alexandria. Consul General Zhao Liying answered questions on China-Egypt relations, especially the situation and prospects of bilateral economic, trade and investment cooperation, as well as China-Africa anti-epidemic cooperation and China's international cooperation on vaccines. Consul General Zhao Liying pointed out: China has actively participated in the construction and development of Egypt, and many projects have been carried out in an orderly manner. By the end of December 2020, the China-Egypt TEDA Suez Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone had attracted nearly 100 enterprises, with actual investment exceeding US $1.25 billion, cumulative sales exceeding US $2.5 billion, and taxes and fees paid of nearly US $0.176 billion, directly solving the employment of about 4000 people and industry-driven employment of more than 36000 people. President Sisi praised the TEDA Cooperation Zone as the most successful project in the Suez Canal Economic Corridor and a model of economic and trade cooperation between China and Egypt.

The following is the full text of the interview.

1. this year marks the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Egypt, has the current neo-crown epidemic affected the trade volume between the two countries?

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations 65 years ago, the political mutual trust between the two countries has been continuously enhanced, pragmatic cooperation has yielded fruitful results, and the comprehensive strategic partnership has developed in depth. At the beginning of the establishment of diplomatic relations, the trade volume between China and Egypt was only tens of millions of dollars. In 2013, the trade volume between China and Egypt exceeded 10 billion US dollars for the first time. Since then, China has remained Egypt's largest trading partner for eight consecutive years. Despite the impact of the new crown epidemic, the trade volume between China and Egypt bucked the trend, reaching $14.57 billion billion in 2020, up 10 percent year-on-year, and in the first quarter of this year, the bilateral trade volume was $4.18 billion billion, up 32.1 percent year-on-year. Sino-Egyptian investment cooperation has also maintained a good momentum of development, and China has become the most active and fastest growing country in recent years. In 2020, China's direct investment in Egypt was 0.19 billion billion US dollars, compared with 83 million US dollars in the first quarter of 2021, an increase of 134 per cent against the trend. We are willing to work with Egypt to earnestly implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, deepen traditional friendship and practical cooperation in various fields, and promote the China-Egypt comprehensive strategic partnership to achieve greater development under the framework of the joint construction of the "Belt and Road". The two peoples.

What Egyptian national projects does China participate in 2?

China is actively participating in the construction and development of Egypt. The China-Egypt TEDA Suez Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone, the CBD project of the new administrative capital central business district, the Alaman New City high-rise complex project, and the Ramadan 10th suburban light rail project are all progressing in an orderly manner. By the end of December 2020, the Sino-Egyptian TEDA Suez Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone project had attracted nearly 100 enterprises, with actual investment exceeding US $1.25 billion, cumulative sales exceeding US $2.5 billion, and taxes and fees paid of nearly US $0.176 billion, directly solving the employment of about 4000 people and industry-driven employment of more than 36000 people. President Sisi praised the TEDA Cooperation Zone as the most successful project in the Suez Canal Economic Corridor and a model of economic and trade cooperation between China and Egypt. The central business district project of Egypt's new administrative capital, undertaken by China State Construction Group, covers a total area of about 505000 square meters, including 20 single high-rise buildings and supporting municipal projects, of which the 385-meter-high sign tower has been capped not long ago and will become the tallest building in Africa after construction is completed.

What is the expected growth of Sino-Egyptian trade volume in 3. this year and next year?

China has achieved remarkable results in coordinating the prevention and control of the new crown epidemic and economic and social development. In 2020, China's GDP exceeded the 100 trillion yuan mark for the first time, with a year-on-year growth of 2.3 percent, making it the only major economy in the world to achieve positive economic growth. In the first half of 2021 (first quarter), China's GDP grew by 12.7 year-on-year, and economic development stabilized and improved. This year coincides with the centenary of the Communist Party of China. Over the past 100 years, under the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China, China has made remarkable achievements along the road of socialism with Chinese characteristics. China has become the world's second largest economy and the world's second largest importer. At present, China is committed to building a new development pattern, promoting reform and opening up from a higher starting point, and promoting high-quality development. In the next five years, China will import more than 10 trillion US dollars of goods and services, which will bring more cooperation opportunities to countries in the world, including Egypt. It is believed that China Egypt economic and trade cooperation will continue to make new breakthroughs.

What are the main products that China imports from Egypt in 4?

In 2020, Egypt's exports to China amounted to US $0.45 billion billion, an increase of 44.30 per cent over the same period last year, mainly for fossil fuels, copper products, stones and fruits. Egypt has become China's second largest source of imported fresh oranges and imported frozen strawberries. Egyptian fresh oranges and frozen strawberries account for more than 20% and 35% of China's import market. Egyptian fresh dates enjoy the "honor" of being exclusively allowed to be exported to China and become the only choice for Chinese consumers. High-quality Egyptian fruit has become a bright "business card" for Chinese people to understand and love Egypt ".

What is the 5. cooperation between China and African countries in response to the new crown epidemic?

After the outbreak of the epidemic, African countries and the African Union have given us firm support in China's fight against the epidemic at a difficult time, which China will bear in mind. President Xi Jinping, concerned about the epidemic in Africa, initiated the convening of a special summit on China-Africa solidarity in June last year and spoke to 11 African leaders, demonstrating the special friendship between China and Africa in times of trouble. The Chinese Government has provided several batches of emergency anti-epidemic supplies and vaccine assistance to African countries, dispatched anti-epidemic medical experts to 15 African countries, cooperated with 43 hospitals in 38 African countries, trained more than 20000 local medical staff, and started the construction of the headquarters of the African Center for Disease Control and Prevention ahead of schedule, demonstrating the true meaning of the China-Africa Community of Destiny. China has always been a staunch supporter of the fight against the epidemic in Africa, and will continue to provide vaccine and anti-epidemic material assistance to African countries in need, facilitate the procurement of vaccines by African countries in China, and actively promote cooperation in the joint production of vaccines. China clearly supports the appeal of African countries to exempt intellectual property rights for vaccines, is committed to bridging the "vaccine gap", and is willing to speed up the construction of the headquarters of the African Center for Disease Control and Prevention, effectively enhance the overall epidemic prevention and control capacity in Africa, and join hands with African countries to overcome the epidemic at an early date.

6. is China developing a new vaccine against a new variant of the virus?

China's new crown vaccine research and development speed and quantity has always been in the world's first square. The new crown vaccine research and development project took 2 months from the start to the world's first clinical study, 4 months to the first emergency use of the vaccine, 5 months to the first overseas phase III clinical trial of the vaccine, and 11 months to the approval of the conditional listing. At present, 21 new crown vaccines have entered clinical trials in China. China has put into practice the concept of the human health community with practical actions, actively carried out international cooperation in the research and development, production and use of the new crown vaccine, cooperated with relevant institutions in more than 20 countries to carry out phase III clinical trials, and provided vaccines and stock solutions to more than 110 countries through donation and export. Egypt and China cooperate in the production of new crown vaccine in Egypt, Egypt became the first country on the African continent to produce vaccine. With the virus still spreading rapidly around the world, it is believed that experts from various countries, including China, will take precautions, closely monitor the mutation of the virus, and jointly do a good job in the development of a vaccine for the severe mutant strain of the new coronavirus.

7., please tell us about the cooperation between Alexander and Youcheng.

Local exchanges and cooperation are an important part of the relations between the two countries. Alexandria is the second largest city in Egypt with a long history, charming scenery, splendid culture and friendly people. It has friendly relations with Guangdong, Shanghai, Guizhou, Hainan and other places in China. Last year was the 10th anniversary of the establishment of friendly relations between Alexander and Guangdong, Guangdong Province and Guangzhou City have donated anti-epidemic materials to Alexander; entrepreneurs from both sides held the Canton Fair cloud promotion activities and signed a cooperation agreement to actively seek business opportunities to expand cooperation. Shanghai University and Alexandria University are actively preparing for the establishment of a Confucius Institute, holding a video conference, experts from both sides to share their experience in fighting the epidemic, and students from the Chinese Department of Alexandria University participated in the online summer program of Shanghai University. We are willing to continue to work with friends from all walks of life in Alexandria to further promote friendly exchanges and practical cooperation in various fields between friendly provinces and cities to achieve more fruits.

(Original title: Zhao Liying, Consul General in Alexandria, interviewed by Egypt's "Constitution")