Mubarak, Zemin agree to bolster transfer of Chinese know-how to Egypt
Egypt-China, Politics, 4/18/2000

President Hosni Mubarak met Chinese President Jiang Zemin Yesterday at Ras el -Tin palace in the Mediterranean port city of Alexandria and discussed Middle East peace and economic cooperation.

Mubarak and Zemin focused on bilateral cooperation in the field of sophisticated technology, agriculture and joint industries for developing Egyptian-Chinese export commodities.

Talks held at the expanded level between the two leaders tackled economic cooperation both at the international and bilateral levels through the development of Egyptian exports to the Chinese market, ways of facilitating trade exchange and encouraging Chinese tourism.

Minister of Information Safwat El-Sherif told reporters after the meeting that the two leaders grappled with the new imperatives of globalization and the need to enhance cooperation to withstand future challenges.

Sherif said talks also tackled ways of benefiting from the special economic zone northwest of Gulf of Suez, underlining the importance of benefiting from Chinese experience.

Sherif also referred to joint investments by businessmen and the establishment of joint industries within the framework of the agreements signed between the two countries.

China signed a $345 million deal with Egypt in January for joint production of 80 K-8E jet trainer aircrafts, under which China was to provide parts and raw materials training and specialist support . The aircrafts are to be made in Egypt.

Zemin said Monday he was very happy to visit Egypt, a country he termed as a key player on the Arab and African arenas.

"Egypt and China are well-known for their ancient civilizations and their friendship is deep-rooted and long-standing," the Chinese President said in a written statement released upon his arrival at Borg Al-Arab airport.

He said he looked forward to exchanging views with President Mubarak on issues of mutual concern and expressed confidence that his meeting with the President will deepen mutual understanding and strengthen ties of cooperation.

"After Egypt and China established diplomatic relations, their friendship developed and matured on the basis of mutual respect benefits, equality and cooperation in the political, economic and cultural fields," the Chinese President expounded.

"Last year, when President Mubarak visited China, the two countries signed a joint statement on the establishment of strategic cooperation," he further said.

"Currently, the international arena and the situation in the Middle East are going through complexities and changes by the rapid development of economic globalization," he added.

He expressed confidence that talks with President Mubarak would contribute to deepening mutual understanding, friendship and boosting cooperation relations.

Zemin's visit to Egypt came in the context of his week-long tour which took him to Israel and the Palestinian National Authority. He will also visit Greece, Turkey and South Africa.

Aly Eddin Hilal, Minister of Youth, has underlined the depth of friendship links between the Egyptian and Chinese youth. He said these relations are encouraged by President Mubarak's keenness to develop relations between the two countries and his appreciation of the Chinese experience.

The Minister said Egyptian-Chinese friendship would be cultivated in El-Sadat City, Menufeyah, on an area of 500 feddans as a symbol of youth cooperation between the two countries.

Previous Stories:
  Mubarak, Zemin meet; Egypt- China relations, strategic   (4/17/2000)
  Egypt: Ambassador Noeman Galal Egypt's ambassador   (4/13/2000)
  Establishing an Egyptian - Chinese business council   (4/12/2000)

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