Wang Yi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of China, on promoting bilateral and strategic cooperation

China is firmly supporting Egypt's political transition process, and we are optimistic about Egypt's development prospects. In this context, China-Egypt relations are embracing important opportunities of the opening up of a new situation. The two countries should make full use of China-Arab and China-Africa coopera tion policies, pushing bilateral relations to new breakthroughs.

There should be three orientations for the development of China-Egypt relations. First, we must stick to a strategic orientation as partners with relations that go beyond a bilateral scope. Both countries should work to add more layers to our bilateral strategic partnership. Second, we must adhere to a practical orientation, losing no time in advancing mutually beneficial cooperation in all fields to achieve common development and prosperity. Third, we need to persevere in our sustainable orientation by enhancing understanding and friendship between the two peoples. We can thereby consolidate the social basis for, and constantly bring vitality to, our countries’ bilateral relations.

On this foundation, China and Egypt can focus on promoting cooperation in several fields and facilitating mutual political trust and support. There is room to actively push forward personnel exchanges; strengthen communication between political parties, parliaments and non-governmental sectors; share experience on governance and administration of state affairs; and offer support on key issues of sovereignty and dignity.

Practical cooperation can be promoted in a diverse range of fields. We are willing to actively encourage competent and reputable enterprises to invest and conduct business in Egypt, as well as strengthen industrial connections by transferring our capacity advantages and advanced technology to help improve Egypt's level of industrialisation. At the same time, China is willing to make full use of Egypt's regional advantage to bring products to Europe, the Middle East, Africa and surrounding markets. In this context, we hope Egypt will take more effective measures to provide convenience to Chinese investments and guarantee the safety of our companies and personnel. Particular emphasis will be placed on constructing the Suez Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone, as well as projects like the 10th of Ramadan City railway and the Ismailia subsea tunnel.

We are not pursuing a trade surplus and hope that Egypt will more actively promote its products on the Chinese market and provide conditions for trade facilitation. More Chinese investment and tourists entering Egypt will also help to balance bilateral economic relations. China is willing to conduct mutually beneficial cooperation in nuclear power; new energy; railway, tunnel and port construction; agriculture; and other fields where we boast mature technology and rich construction and operations experience. We are willing to cooperate in aerospace and satellite technology.

Culture, tourism, education and other people-to-people fields offer other opportunities for cooperation. China is willing to organise large-scale cultural exchange activities, promote Chinese tourism, and support bilateral educational institutions in talent cultivation, student exchange, language teaching and other fields.

In terms of mutual support and cooperation in international and regional affairs, China stands ready to intensify communication and coordination with Egypt on UN Security Council reform, climate change, human rights and other issues. We hope Egypt will play a better role in leading China-Arab and China-Africa collective cooperation and facilitating relations with China.

President Xi Jinping raised the initiative of the joint construction of the One Belt One Road at the 2014 ministerial meeting of the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum. During a recent visit to Africa, Premier Li Keqiang proposed that China and Africa cooperate to build the three major networks of African infrastructure. Given Egypt’s location at the western intersection of the One Belt One Road and both Arab and African characteristics, China's strategic concept is highly consistent with Egypt’s concept of national development. We are willing to push forward all round and engage in mutually beneficial cooperation with our Egyptian counterparts.