Mubarak, Jiang start talks
Egypt-China, Politics, 1/23/2002

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and his Chinese counterpart Jiang Zemin started on Wednesday their official talks that were attended by officials from both sides.

A tete-a-tete meeting followed between Mubarak and Jiang, joined later by the two countries foreign ministers.

"The talks showed identical views and reflected depth of the mutual understanding and bilateral relations," said Minister of Information Safwat El-Sharif.

"Mubarak explained to Jiang his efforts to solve the Middle East problem and refuted all execuses floated by Israel in this regard. Muabrak also explained to Jiang the facts about the weapon smuggling allegations circulated by Israel as well the Israeli aggressions against Palestinians.

Jiang emphasised China's unwavering support for the Arab fair cause.

Mubarak pointed out that security and stability, whether for Israel or the Palestinians, will only be achieved when Palestinians restore their rights and establish their independent state.Terrorism combat figured high on the agenda of the two leaders' talks," said Sharif. President Mubarak stressed importance of holding an international conference on terrorism combat, underlining its significance for the whole world.

Mubarak also stressed necessity of clarity when terrorism combat is concerned, adding that terrorism should not be confused with people's legitimate right to resist occupation and restore their occupied lands.

Mubarak cited the obstacles which held the international conference on terrorism in limbo since he raised the issue in 1986.

"Jiang said his country supports the Arab and Islamic nations' reject of linking Islam to terrorism.He said that Islam is embraced by a great nation and it uphold love and tolerance. Terrorism combat requires urgent solutions for the pending issues in the whole flashpoints of the world.The two leaders emphasised their rejection of all forms of terrorism and their solidarity with all efforts to fight it.The Chinese President said the ongoing anti-terrorist operations should not affect the innocent civilians,quoting Mubarak as saying that civilisations are integrated and that awareness and dialogue among them should be strengthened,said Sharif.

"It is wrong to spark off conflict between civilisations and cultures," added Sharif.Jiang pointed out that his country is keen on following up the situation in the Middle East and that he is closely watching the remarkable efforts which President Mubarak, as a prominent Arab leader and first-class statesman, is exerting.

Sharif said the talks addressed bilateral relations as well.President Jiang described the talks as of special importance and their bilateral ties as developing and being further cemented.China is keen to keep these relations flourishing and developing.

Jiang said he is deeply satisfied with the progress achieved in the relations between the two countries since Mubarak took over especially after the signing of a strategic cooperation agreement in 1999.

"Egypt and China are great leading civilisations in their Asian and African continents and they both have an identical stance and joint interests," said Jiang.

He added that they are working together for the development of their peoples and the Third World countries.Cairo and Beijing are always upholding the interests of these peoples and are together working for peace and development in the world.

"China also regards Egypt as its most important partner in the Arab world and Africa.China is keen to build stable political relations with Egypt and this had been translated in the strategic agreement co-signed by the two countries," said Jiang.

Sharif said the two leaders agreed to activate their strategic agreement by forging mechanisms that can yield more cooperation.

"They dwelled on a host of cooperation fields including energy, oil, information technology, transportation, encouraging Egyptian exports to China and Chinese investments in Egypt and organising joint exhibitions to widen trade exchange," said Sharif.China also placed Egypt on the list of recommended destinations for Chinese tourists.Jiang emphasised his country's readiness to invest in the northwest Suez area, urging officials concerned to follow up his directives in this regard.

"The two sides agreed to direct the ministers concerned to heal the gap in the two countries' trade balance and encourage businessmen.Also,the two leaders cited agreements on oil and peaceful use of nuclear power, the establishment of a joint businessmen council and regular meeting of the ministers concerned,".Sharif added.

Previous Stories:
  Talks between Mubarak and Zemin deal with regional and international issues   (1/22/2002)
  China hails Egypt's role in the peace process   (1/21/2002)
  Commercial relations between Egypt and China witnessed much development   (1/21/2002)

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