Chinese President to Egyptian press: China praises Mubarak's efforts to enhance bilateral relations

Chinese President Hu Jintao on Tuesday31/10/2006 lauded efforts exerted by President Hosni Mubarak to promote bilateral relations. In statements to the Egyptian press ahead of the visit by President Mubarak to China, set for November 3rd, Jintao noted that the two countries are celebrating these days the 50 anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations.

The Chinese President expressed keenness on exchanging views with President Mubarak on bilateral cooperation and regional and international issues of common interest.

China is attaching much importance to the coming visit of Mubarak to Beijing, said the Chinese President. The two countries, he explained, will sign a number of agreements on cooperation in the political, economic and trade domains.

Answering a question on China's willingness to transfer modern technology to Egypt, including that of peaceful nuclear power, Jintao said China is keen on activating technological and scientific cooperation with Egypt.

As for Sino-African cooperation, the Chinese President said his country has carried out 845 projects in 49 African countries. The accumulative direct Chinese investments in Africa hit as much as $ 1.5 billion, he noted.

As for the Middle East peace process, the Chinese President expressed his country's keenness on exerting joint efforts with Egypt and the international community to support the peace process in the region.

China, he noted, holds that any political solution to the Mideast issue should be based on the relevant United Nations resolutions and the land for peace principle.

He lauded, on this score, efforts made by President Mubarak for reviving the deadlocked Middle East peace process.

As for the North Korean nuclear crisis, Hu expressed the belief that dialogue and negotiations and clearing the Korean peninsula from nuclear weapons were the best means to guarantee peace and stability in the Korean peninsula and northeastern Asia.

What'is required now is exercising self-restraint by all parties concerned to prevent the deterioration of the situation, he added, expressing belief that the six-way talks should resume as soon as possible, expressing belief that the six-way talks should resume as soon as possible.

Answering a question on his assessment of Egyptian-Chinese relations, Hu noted that he was keen on bolstering these relations.

'Relations between the Egyptian and Chinese peoples started some 2,000 years ago and through these ties, the entire human civilization was enriched, the Chinese President said.

Establishing diplomatic relations with Egypt opened the door for China to establish relations with other Arab and African states, he said. He further added that Egyptian-Chinese relations are based on mutual respect and confidence.

China, said Hu, deems Egypt as an important partner. Also, President Mubarak's coming visit to China and his participation in the Sino-African summit, to open are in Beijing on November lst, will invest bilateral relations with much vigor, he noted.

Responding to a question on his vision regarding means of boosting Egyptian-Chinese economic cooperation and increasing investments, Hu said that Egypt has achieved marked progress over the past few years in the economic development and investment atmosphere.

This encouraged several foreign companies, including Chinese ones, to operate in Egypt, he said, adding that the two countries should keep promoting their cooperation in the economic development process.

Answering a question on how far China was ready to transfer its modern technology to Egypt, Hu said the Chinese government attaches much importance to cooperation with Egypt in the scientific and technological domains on the basis of mutual benefits.

China is keen on promoting this cooperation especially in the fields of medicine, pharmacology, telecommunications, Agriculture and environment, he pointed out, adding "China is to cooperate with Egypt in the domain of peaceful nuclear " Responding to a question on the goals of the coming China- African Cooperation Forum Summit, Hu said that the forum offers an opportunity for dialogue between China and the African countries on issues of common concern, including South cooperation, supporting peace and development in the world and enhancing confidence between China and African nations.

The Chinese President, in his interview with the Egyptian press, said that his country will put forth during the afro- Chinese event, new measures for bolstering cooperation between China and Africa through supporting the economic and social development process in the African states.

The Chinese President said his country has realized marked progress, over the past five years; since its admission into the world Trade Organization.

China's accumulative imports hit $ 2.4 trillion, said Hu, noting that such' a state of Affairs offered to the world countries an ample opportunity to tap the Chinese market and created immense job opportunities.

Touching on the Arab-Israeli conflict with Israel still .occupying land in Palestine, Lebanon and Syria, Hu said China was Closely following up the situation in the Middle East.

China is siding with, all just Arab causes, he pointed out, noting that Beijing is supporting all efforts for restoring Arab rights.