Constantly Enriching the Connotation of the Development of Africa-China Relations -- An Interview with Egyptian Prime Minister Madabli

Source Xinhua News Agency

Reporter Mao Lei Yao Bing Zhang Jian

"As one of the most important mechanisms for China-Africa cooperation, the importance of the China-Africa Cooperation Forum is not only reflected in the economic aspect, it is also a platform for collective dialogue between Africa and China." On the occasion of leading a delegation to China to attend the summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation to be held in early September, Egyptian Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouli said in a written interview with Xinhua News Agency reporters that the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation has enriched the development of Africa-China relations. Connotation and achieved fruitful results.

The picture shows the signing of Hisense Group project on August 8, 2024.

"Looking back on the situation when the Forum was established in 2000 and the achievements of today's Africa-China cooperative relations, we can see that Africa-China relations and cooperation have achieved significant improvement and development, and this development has attracted attention in various fields." Madbouli said.

In Madbouli's view, the upcoming 2024 summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation will further promote the development of bilateral cooperative relations, and the priority areas of cooperation in the next stage can focus on the current challenges facing the African continent.

"Africa is increasingly aware of the magnitude of these challenges and is determined to make changes that will enable the continent to become more self-reliant, especially in meeting the basic needs of its people and in terms of food needs." Madbouli said.

He pointed out that Egypt is the first Arab and African country to establish diplomatic relations with New China, which reflects the uniqueness of the long-standing relationship between the two countries. Since then, the relationship between the two sides has continued to develop, and both sides have a deep understanding of each other's positions on regional and international issues.

Madbouli said that in recent years, Egypt has worked with China to contribute to the development of the China-Africa Cooperation Forum and the China-Arab Cooperation Forum. "Egypt was one of the first countries to join the Belt and Road Initiative and has responded positively to China's Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative and Global Civilization Initiative. This year, Egypt and China celebrated the 10th anniversary of their comprehensive strategic partnership." He believes that the two sides have formed a multi-level cooperation framework.

The picture shows Madbuli inspecting TEDA cooperation zone enterprises on January 11, 2024

Madbouli has visited China many times, most recently attending the third Belt and Road Initiative Forum for International Cooperation in October last year. During the interview, he specifically talked about the key projects of the "Belt and Road" cooperation between the two countries-the China-Egypt TEDA Suez Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone (TEDA Cooperation Zone) and the Central Business District of the new administrative capital of Egypt.

Madbouli said that the TEDA Cooperation Zone, which was founded in 2008, has attracted many companies involved in new building materials, high and low voltage equipment, and machinery manufacturing industries, and has gradually become a joint construction of the "Belt and Road" initiative and Egypt's "Suez Canal". In the demonstration project of "Corridor Economic Belt" docking, the cooperation zone intends to attract new energy and green low-carbon development projects in the future.

Referring to the project of the central business district of Egypt's new administrative capital undertaken by a Chinese company, Madbouli said that the project is the largest project implemented by a Chinese enterprise in Egypt, reflecting the excellent cooperative relationship between Egypt and China and a major achievement of bilateral cooperation.

Madbouli emphasized that Egypt is benefiting from sharing development results with China, and the Egyptian government appreciates the tangible achievements of Egypt-China cooperation in the past ten years. "Egypt is eager to further develop this relationship and is working hard to consolidate and strengthen its cooperative relationship with China," Madbouli said. "Egypt looks forward to cooperating with China to implement more development projects."

Madbouli believes that in the next stage, both parties can focus on joint investment, green energy, industrial localization, and vocational and technical personnel training. "We will strive to attract more Chinese investment in the future, especially in areas of common interest, including new and renewable energy, green economy, digitalization, green hydrogen production and waste recycling, and attach importance to investment in tourism, especially Tourism and hotel industry."

In January 2024, Egypt became a full member of the BRICS. Madbouli believes that this reflects the deep ties between Egypt and the BRICS countries and brings many opportunities for deepening bilateral cooperation. He said: "Egypt is willing to make effective contributions within the framework of the BRICS cooperation mechanism to achieve constructive cooperation with other members."

Regarding the role played by Egypt and China in easing tensions in the Middle East, Madbouli said that the two countries share the same views on the importance of maintaining security in the Middle East. He pointed out that Egypt will continue to work with China to avoid further escalation of the regional situation, and at the same time support the just cause of the Palestinian people to restore their legitimate national rights, and promote an early, comprehensive, just and lasting settlement of the Palestinian issue based on the "two-state solution.

-END-