Maher, Tang discuss bilateral relations
Egypt-China, Politics, 12/27/2001

"President Hosni Mubarak will Thursday receive in Sharm E1Sheikh Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan," Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher said.

A session of talks ended Wednesday between Maher and Tang Jiaxuan currently visiting Cairo.

The two ministers gave a press conference at the end of their talks, where the Chinese Minister said that he discussed with Maher important issues, foremost among which the anticipated visit to China by President Mubarak early next year, adding that Mubarak's visit to Beijing is the sixth.

"It is important to listen to President Mubarak's views on his visit to China in order to ensure full success for it," added the Chinese Foreign Minister.

Maher said his talks with the Chinese Minister dealt with bilateral relations in preparation for President Mubarak's visit to China.

"The two ministers also discussed conditions in the Palestinian territories where the Palestinian people is facing suppressive measures adopted by occupation troops," added Maher.

Maher also discussed with the Chinese Minister the issue of terrorism and Mubarak's initiative to render the Middle East free from weapons of mass destruction.

He said that the talks took up conditions in Arab world in light of the Chinese minister's visit to Syria, Lebanon and Jordan, adding that the talks also dealt with conditions in Iraq and relations between India and Pakistan where Egypt and China hoped that the Indian-Pakistani conflict would be solved through political means.

Maher and his Chinese counterpart expressed satisfaction with the identity of viewpoints between Egypt and China over issues discussed by the two sides.

On whether he found concern from the Arab states and Egypt over the Chinese military rapprochement with Israel, Jiaxuan said he did not believe that he found any such concern.

The Chinese Minister said that the Chinese and Arab people are linked by deep-rooted friendship, adding that China backed the just causes of the Arab people against the suppression during past years, in order to restore the legitimate rights of Arabs.

On a possible U.S. strike on Iraq within the framework of the so-called anti - terror campaign, the Chinese Minister said that he discussed the Iraqi issue with Maher, adding that the two countries reached a joint vision.

As for the issue of terrorism, he said that China adopted clear-cut and decisive stances rejecting all forms of terrorism, but it stressed that any operation against terrorism must be based on evidence and must avoid any harm to civilians.

He said that the US-led anti-terrorism war must not be expanded to reach other countries, adding that China opposes confusing terrorism with the struggle of peoples against occupation and also opposes double standards in the issue of terror-combating terrorism.

Commenting on the Arab and Egyptian concern about the military cooperation between China and Israel, Maher said, "we appreciate the stances of China which supported the Egyptian and Arab issues and we trust the Chinese policies."

Maher said that Egypt was satisfied with the Chinese support for the Palestinian cause and the Arab issues, including the Israeli withdrawal from the Palestinian, Syrian and Lebanese territories, pointing out that the Egyptian-Chinese viewpoints were identical with regard to the Arab issues and ways of boosting the Egyptian-Chinese relations.

On the trade balance between Egypt and China, which is tilting in favour of China and the issue of exporting Egyptian citrus to China, the Chinese minister said that the issue of citrus has been settled and an agreement to this end is expected during President Mubarak's visit to China.

The Chinese top diplomat added that China had adopted a number of measures to increase imports from Egypt, adding that China called for achieving a positive trade balance between the two countries.

Previous Stories:
  Mubarak probes with Chinese Foreign Minister latest international developments   (12/26/2001)
  Chinese foreign minister visit Cairo   (12/20/2001)
  Egyptian- Chinese contacts for arrangements to Mubarak's visit   (11/17/2001)

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