Egyptian-Chinese political ties enhance mutual interests

"Egyptian-Chinese trade balance is so markedly growing that it accounted for $750 million in 1999," said Foreign Minister Amr Moussa.

Addressing a symposium grouping representatives of public and private sector companies as well as academic bodies, Moussa said Egypt has taken the initiative in convening this panel to identify the available potentials and pinpoint the problems and their solutions in order to augment bilateral ties.

Moussa highlighted the Egyptian interest in the Asian dimension of its foreign policy and its interest to benefit from the Chinese model of development and modernization.

"Egypt and China are in the same boat, facing the radical and complicated transformations the world is ahead of," added Moussa.

The top diplomat urged the participants to hammer out a working plan to boost economic cooperation with China, noting that the plan will be submitted to Premier Atef Ebeid.

"Cairo is aware of the growing Chinese influence at the international level in addition to its political, economic and strategic weight," expounded Moussa.

He demanded a boost to the travel business with China and asked the national EgyptAir carrier to study operation of a direct air route with Beijing.