Egypt signs three cooperation agreements with China
Egypt-China, Politics, 4/23/2002

Egyptian Prime Minister Atef Ebeid and his Chinese Counterpart Zhu Rongji Saturday attended the signing ceremony of three cooperation agreements between Egypt and China at the cabinet premises. The signing ceremony was held at the end of an expanded session of talks which was attended by Deputy Premier and Minister of Agriculture Youssef Wali as well as the ministers of Information, Education, Irrigation, Supplies, Industry and Planning, Health together with State Ministers for Military Production and Foreign Affairs.

The first agreement is related to economic and technological cooperation between the two sides. The second covers letter of exchange concerning the setting up of a model school to teach the Chinese language.

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Faiza Abul Naga signed the agreements for the Egyptian side, while Chinese Vice Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation Wel Jiangua signed for China.

The third agreement is a memo of understanding on cooperation in the livestock breeding field. The agreement was signed by Wali on the Egyptian side, while Chinese Agriculture Minister Du Qinglin signed for his country.

Earlier in the day Prime Minister Dr. Atef Ebeid on Saturday held a tête-à-tête session of talks with his Chinese opposite number Zhu Rongji, who arrived in Cairo on Friday for a five-day visit to Egypt.

They studied ways to boost bilateral relations in the various fields, expand economic cooperation and increase the volume of trade exchange and investment between their countries.

During the session, Ebeid lauded Egyptian-Chinese relations and China's supportive stances cf the causes of just and peace worldwide, especially in the Middle East.

The premier said Egypt is keen to upgrade economic relations, as well as industrial, agricultural, touristic and trade cooperation with China.

Ebeid called for setting up joint ventures in the Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ) in Egypt and accelerating steps to set up these zones.

He added that China is considered a model of country as regards development and is a pioneering state as regards the absorption of modern technology and its applications.

The premier said the current Egyptian-Sino round of talks come at a time when the Middle East region is passing through a very serious situation in the light of the daily Israeli brutal attacks on Palestinian civilians, incursions into Palestinian territories and destruction of Palestinian areas and refugee camps.

Ebeid said these Israeli measures are "irresponsible'' and would cause very serious repercussions.

He voiced appreciation for the Chinese government clear-cut stance calling for the immediate withdrawal of Israeli occupation forces from the Palestinian territories. China has also affirmed the necessity of preserving security and safety of Palestinian Leader Yasser Arafat.

The Egyptian premier reviewed all the spheres of cooperation between the two countries, and underlined the need to cooperate in the industrial and other vital fields.

Egypt, like China, is rejuvenating its infrastructure and is currently renovating its harbours and airports, he added.

He called on the Chinese side to take part in the Egyptian programme to re-build parts of the infrastructure networks.

Ebeid said Egypt decided to accelerate steps to set up EEZ in three places in northern Gulf of Suez, east of Port Said and West of Damietta, which the government will provide with all needed requirements.

The government set up new harbours, markets and infrastructure network i.e. the neighbourhood of the would-be EEZ in order to allow people from nearby areas to find job opportunities in these zones.

These zones would be produced remarkable production and producers would not suffer any tax burdens, Ebeid added.

The Chinese premier, on his part, voiced his country's deep concern over the latest developments in the Middle East region.

Zhu said China condemns the Israeli atrocities against Palestinian people as well as Israeli threats which put the life of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat at stake.

He voiced appreciation for the role of president Hosni Mubarak in easing tension in the region. The Chinese premier stressed that the Middle East cause would not be settled except through the implementation of international legitimacy resolutions and the land-for-peace formula.

Zhu highlighted the efforts exerted by his country to calm down tension in the Palestinian territories. He said China is keen on holding consultations with the Arab countries, including Egypt, and continues to play an effective role to help restore the legitimate rights of Palestinians.

At the end of the talks, the Chinese premier invited Ebeid: to visit China to follow up the implementation of the signed agreements and agree on new domains of cooperation.

He said China will send an economic team to Egypt soon for negotiations on increasing Egyptian exports to China with the aim of redressing the trade balance between the two countries.

Zhu thanked the Egyptian government and people for their warm hospitality.

The premier lauded the accelerated development steps and notable achievements realised in Egypt over the past eight years.

China attaches special importance to mutual cooperation with Egypt, which is considered the largest trade partner to China in the Middle East, Zhu added.

He noted that Egypt and China see eye to eye on various regional and international issues, lauding Egypt's support for China to join the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

Previous Stories:
  Mubarak, Chinese Premier probe situation in Palestinian areas   (4/20/2002)
  Mubarak inspects China's technological experiment   (1/26/2002)
  President Mubarak meets Chinese leaders   (1/25/2002)

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