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Al-Ahram Weekly 30 Sep. - 6 Oct. 1999 Issue No. 449 
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Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Al-Ahram Weekly 30 Sep. - 6 Oct. 1999 Issue No. 449
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| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Egypt Region International Economy Opinion Culture Focus Features Profile Travel Living Sports People Time Out Chronicles Cartoons Letters Time to do business
Diplomatic relations between China and Egypt were first established some 50 years ago. Since then, they have been maintained on a solid footing irrespective both of the domestic situation in each country, and of countless changes on the international scene. Grounded on the age-old civilizations of these two ancient nations, they are nevertheless constantly evolving."We are now moving towards developing higher-level relations between the two countries," Ji Bei Bing, deputy Chinese foreign minister, told the Weekly, in a recent interview in Beijing.
This latest move follows on from two landmark events in Sino-Egyptian relations: President Jiang Zemin's visit to Egypt in May 1996, and President Mubarak's return visit to China last April, during which the two leaders signed a joint communiqué outlining a strategic partnership for the 21st century. "For our part," said Bei Bing, "we look to Egypt as the most important country both in the Arab world and on the continent of Africa. We will follow up on this blueprint to build a true partnership which will take political relations to a higher level."
Yet despite the apparent progress in many areas, Bei Bing agreed that economic ties still lag behind the political bonding process, and said that economic cooperation has fallen short of Chinese expectations. However, he also pointed out that the main priority now was clearly economic issues, and that since Mubarak's visit, a series of agreements on economic cooperation and tourism had already been signed. "In the last two years, trade relations have been progressing, and are already taking on more concrete form," the minister added. "For example, there have been developments concerning the Suez project, with Chinese companies getting more involved. I believe that the agreements that have been made between the two countries will also help economic and trade relations in the future."
The minister explained that the Chinese government's policy is to encourage those of the nation's businesses which have sufficient financial clout to co-operate with their Egyptian counterparts. "Strengthening economic ties implies translating the political will of the two countries into real economic relations and cooperation," said Bei Bing. "So we have to do all we can to achieve that end. We also have to address the changes that have come about in our way of thinking. In the past, the government was the main player in economic cooperation. Now, businesses are the main players. It is they who are promoting economic activities abroad. Consequently, our main obligation now is to help these companies cooperate yet further and expand their activities abroad."
The media has a crucial role to play in encouraging such ventures, as the minister acknowledged. "We hope that newspapers, both in our country and in yours, can help our businesses achieve a better understanding of the legal system and the market situation which they will have to deal with," he explained. And he added, "Personally, I have great confidence in the future of economic and trade relations between our two countries."
The minister also agreed that China needs to play a more active role in the Middle East: "We need to get more involved in the peace process. We also know that some friendly countries in the Arab world want us to play a more active role." Asked to comment on China's attitude to the conflict, Bei Bing was uncompromising in his views: "Our position on the Middle East conflict has always been consistent: we support the just cause of the Arab world in the conflict between Israel and Palestine. There are historical reasons for China to support the Arabs, just as there are also reasons today for us to continue to support you. This conflict has caused great instability in the region. That is why we are in favour of the land-for-peace principle that is embodied in the Madrid agreement of 1991."
China has taken part in many multilateral conferences on the Middle East peace process, and has also sought bilateral relations with a number of countries so as to try and help negotiations advance. "We have also had an exchange of views with Israel," said Bei Bing, "and we are urging Israel to adopt a flexible attitude so as to break out of the present impasse -- an impasse of its own making. Personally, I believe that the crux of the problem is that the Israelis must be prepared to settle the issue. They must be determined to achieve peace. If Israel does not have such determination, if they do not honestly implement the land-for-peace deal, then no matter how many plans are drawn up, they will all prove futile."
For Bei Bing, this is also the key to understanding America's role in the conflict's perpetuation. "To be frank with you, the US has come up with a lot of specific plans and Israel's leaders have always resisted their implementation," the minister observed. "Whatever plans the US draws up, they will prove fruitless as long as it does not put an end to its discriminatory attitude. But the US cannot do this. It cannot give up its bias. It cannot stop favouring Israel. So, likewise, China cannot change its position. We cannot come out in favour of Israel and against the Arab world."
