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Al-Ahram Weekly 11 - 17 November 1999 Issue No. 455 
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Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Al-Ahram Weekly 11 - 17 November 1999 Issue No. 455
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| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Egypt Region International Economy Opinion Culture Features Profile Travel Books Sports People Time Out Chronicles Cartoons Letters 'Multi-polar and many-hued'
By Mahmoud Murad
"This is the first time in history in which we have held a seminar to study the mutual relations between our countries," Chuan told me, adding, "Such seminars and dialogues are highly important in light of our historical relations and our common concerns for the future as we stand on the brink of the 21st century."
Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Giang Chuan (left) and Mahmoud Murad
Before his appointment as foreign minister two years ago, Tang Giang Chuan enjoyed a distinguished diplomatic career, serving as China's ambassador to a number of countries.
The Egyptian delegation attending the conference consisted of Ambassador Nagui El-Ghatrifi, assistant minister of foreign affairs for Asian affairs; Ambassador Dr Mahmoud Farghali, assistant minister of foreign affairs for the Diplomatic Institute; Ambassador Dr Mohamed Noaman Galal, Egyptian ambassador to China; Dr Mohamed El-Sayyid Salim, director of the Centre for Asian Studies at Cairo University; Dr Mustafa Kamel El-Sayyid, director of the Centre for Development Research at the College of Economics and Political Sciences; Military Attaché General Bahri Mohamed Yusef; Trade Commissioner Fikri Tadros; Media Adviser Hamed Saqr; and diplomat Ahmed Shihab.
Prior to the opening of the seminar, Tang Giang Chuan and his aides met with ambassadors El-Ghatrifi, Farghali and Galal for in-depth discussions on bilateral relations, the Middle East peace process and other pressing issues. The foreign minister expressed his hopes that his country would be able to contribute to the establishment of a just and comprehensive peace in the region and to the resolution of the problems surrounding Iraq. He informed his guests that, in the hope of enhancing China's relations with the Arab world and Africa, President Jiang Zemin has written to President Hosni Mubarak along with other African presidents, seeking their consent to hold a conference of African foreign and economic ministers in the Chinese capital next October. The purpose of the conference will be to study possible mechanisms for economic and commercial co-operation and other bases for joint action to confront the challenges of international change and economic globalisation.
We are celebrating this year the 50th anniversary of the founding of modern China. Diplomatic relations between Egypt and China have existed now for 43 years. In light of this lengthy history, how do you view those relations at present and their prospects for the future? Is progress being made towards a high-level exchange of visits in the near future?
The friendship between China and Egypt goes back a long way. The Chinese people have always had a deep affection for the Egyptian people. Since diplomatic relations were established between our two countries in 1956, there has been an ongoing exchange of high-level visits. The realm of co-operation has continually expanded. As a result, relations between our two countries today stand on a solid footing of friendship and fruitful co-operation in all political, economic, commercial, technological and cultural fields.
China has always viewed Egypt as a close friend and one of its most important partners in the Arab world and Africa. Last April, President Hosni Mubarak made his seventh visit to China, where he and the Chinese president signed a joint communiqué stressing the importance of strategic cooperation geared to the demands of the 21st century. This communiqué is an important symbol that friendship and cooperation between China and Egypt are set to embark on a new phase.
In addition to seeking to enhance political relations, China is extremely interested in developing bilateral economic and commercial relations, which are a vital part of our strategic co-operation. Thanks to the efforts of both sides, such relations have steadily improved over recent years. The volume of bilateral trade surpassed the $600 million mark in 1998, and this year it stood at $520 million for the period from January to September alone -- an increase of 21.5 per cent over the same period last year.
Economic and commercial cooperation between the two countries are expanding in scope even as their sheer volume is increasing. Not only do they have broad horizons, but also vast potential. This is highly significant at a time when both countries are facing momentous and quite similar tasks: promoting the process of reform, national economic development, raising the standard of living and augmenting our overall national strengths. It is therefore in the interests of both countries to work together to enhance bilateral economic and commercial relations, and to integrate their respective advantages.
Experience has shown that improving such bilateral co-operation and relations not only furthers the fundamental welfare of the peoples of both nations, but contributes to the establishment of world peace and development. China is fully prepared to work alongside Egypt to expand our strategic cooperative into new dimensions, for the good that this will bring to both our peoples.
What is your country's basic policy towards the Arab world, and what is the current state of Chinese-Arab co-operation in the political, economic and technological spheres?
Promoting solidarity and cooperation with the countries of the developing world is the cornerstone of China's foreign policy. The Arab countries are an integral part of the developing world and China is extremely keen to develop its relations with them. As we stand on the threshold of the 21st century, the world is undergoing profound and complex changes. Not only do these changes pose similar challenges to both China and the Arab world, but they have also expanded the scope of our common interests. We all face the same urgent tasks of maintaining the sovereignty and security of the state, developing the national economy and raising the standard of living. At the international level, we are all working towards regional and international peace and stability, and a fair and rational economic and political order at the global level. China is ready to join its efforts with the Arab countries to secure our relations in the forthcoming century on the basis of a permanent, stable and continually deepening friendship.
The bonds of friendship which tie us to the Arab world go back a long way. We are bound by years of mutual sympathy and support. In more recent times, friendship and co-operation between the two sides have seen many rapid developments. In the political domain, communications between officials at all levels have intensified. Only a few days ago, for example, President Jiang Zemin concluded his visit to three Arab countries, and earlier this year Li Bang, chairman of the Permanent Committee of the National Council of the Representatives of the People [the Chinese parliament], and Li Royhuan, chairman of the People's Political Advisory Congress, independently undertook visits to several Middle Eastern nations. There has also been a marked increase in the number of visits Middle Eastern leaders have been making to China. Among these was President Hosni Mubarak's visit to China last April, during which we signed a joint communiqué on strategic cooperation between our two countries.
Another important landmark has been the creation of mechanisms for political consultation between the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its counterparts in most Arab countries. These mechanisms have been instrumental in promoting closer co-ordination and co-operation in international forums, particularly as regards such vital issues as safeguarding national sovereignty, standing up against the politics of sheer force and upholding the spirit and principles of the UN Charter.
A third important step towards enhancing Chinese-Arab relations was made when China established relations of co-operation with the Arab League and the Gulf Cooperation Council [GCC]. I personally met with Arab League Secretary-General Dr Esmat Abdel-Meguid when I visited Cairo at the beginning of this year. It was during this visit that we signed a memorandum of understanding for the creation of a mechanism for political consultation between the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Secretariat of the Arab League. In fact, I would like to make special mention in this context of my appreciation of the resolution to promote relations with China, which was adopted by the Foreign Ministers' Council of the Arab League last year. In recent years, I have also met with the foreign ministers of the countries of the GCC during every UN General Assembly meeting, in order to discuss the development of our mutual relations.
Political relations between China and the countries of the Arab world are thus growing day by day, and our mutual co-operation is constantly expanding and deepening. To see this gives me the greatest satisfaction and encourages me to look forward to further progress in this domain.
Thanks to our good relations on the political level, economic and technological cooperation between China and the Arab world have also been making great strides. The volume of trade between the two sides has been increasing steadily, reaching $7.1 billion last year. In fact, it is remarkable that, while world trade has generally stagnated over the past two years due to the Asian financial crisis, commercial exchange between China and the Arab world has maintained a healthy growth. In addition, Chinese-Arab economic and technological cooperation has also borne much fruit. For example, co-operation in the field of petroleum production has yielded encouraging economic benefits, while the phosphate fertiliser project run jointly by China, Kuwait and Tunisia is progressing smoothly. In addition, China and Egypt are rapidly laying the groundwork for their cooperation in developing the special economic zone to the north-west of the Suez Gulf. These joint activities are indicative of the strong potential for further integrating the respective advantages of the Chinese and Arab economies.
Even as we continue our efforts to strengthen traditional forms of co-operation, we should examine and seek to implement new forms of cooperation. We should, moreover, rally all available resources towards the realisation of the goal of joint development through mutually beneficial co-operation, so that Chinese-Arab relations may become the model for South-South co-operation in the coming century.
Despite the peace agreements signed between certain Arab countries and Israel, the Middle East peace process is still at a standstill and Israel continues to occupy Palestinian, Syrian and Lebanese territory. The Arab countries naturally fear that the development of Chinese-Israeli relations will bring Israel greater support. Is this fear justified?
The Middle East peace process has taken many important steps forward since the Madrid conference in 1991, thanks to the efforts of both Israel and the Arabs, and to strong support from the international community. Among the achievements of the peace process have been the Israeli-Jordanian peace agreement and the establishment of Palestinian autonomy.
The Middle East crisis has become too intricate and complex over its lengthy history for us to be able to solve it overnight. Yet we are convinced that it is possible to make steady progress towards peace, as long as both the Arabs and Israelis continue to adhere to their strategic choice to seek a peaceful settlement to their dispute. This choice implies a sincere intention to negotiate on the basis of the relevant UN resolutions and to uphold the principle of land for peace, in a spirit of flexibility and pragmatism.
China has its own independent foreign policy, whose main aim is to promote peace. We seek to develop our relations with other countries on the basis of the five principles for peaceful coexistence and in accordance with internationally recognised rules and procedures. We have defined our position on international issues in the light of our perceptions of right and wrong, and on the basis of the interests of the people both of China and of other nations.
China is linked to the Arab people through common bonds of friendship. We have always stood firmly behind them and supported their just causes and legitimate demands. The facts themselves demonstrate that the development of relations with Israel has not diminished our commitment to our fundamental principles with regard to the Middle East crisis. On the contrary, these relations have helped us in our efforts to support the negotiating process.
It appears that Chinese-US relations will always be something of a rollercoaster ride, because of a variety of disruptive factors. How do you perceive the situation?
Chinese-American relations have been through many twists and turns since diplomatic relations were established between the two countries more than 20 years ago. Nevertheless, it must be said that they have generally evolved for the better. The continued improvement and development of Chinese-American relations has not only benefitted the Chinese and the American peoples, but it has also contributed effectively to maintaining and promoting peace and development in the Asia-Pacific region -- and indeed, in the entire world. In recent years in particular, there have been successful exchanges of visits between the two presidents during which a framework was drawn up for the development of Chinese-American relations in the 21st century. In addition, the successful visit of Chinese Prime Minister Zhu Rongji to the US last April, gave an additional impetus to relations between the two countries.
However, these same relations suffered a grave blow with the US-led NATO bombardment of the Chinese Embassy in Yugoslavia. The US must take all necessary practical measures to redress the serious offence it thus caused us. The onus is on them to undertake the tangible actions necessary to get Chinese-US relations back on track.
The history of relations between our two countries demonstrates that China and the US have common interests, as well as certain differences. What is important is that both sides adhere consistently to the general framework for their bilateral relations and work to resolve their differences peacefully, in accordance with the principles of mutual respect, non-intervention in the other's domestic affairs, and maximising points of agreement over points of divergence.
The issue of Taiwan has always been the most sensitive issue between us. Our relations would improve swiftly and smoothly if the question of Taiwan were handled properly. If not, then they can only regress. President Clinton and other American officials have stated repeatedly that the US supports the policy of one China and abides by the three joint Chinese-US communiqués. These communiqués reject outright the notion of an "independent Taiwan". They reject the notion that there might be "two Chinas", one Chinese, the other Taiwanese, and deny that Taiwan has the right to membership of any international organisation confined to sovereign nations. US officials have also told us that the "theory of two nations" proposed by Taiwanese President Lee Dunghoi was as embarrassing for them as it was for us.
At the same time, I should say that there is still a small minority in the US who, for one reason or another, do not wish to see Chinese-US relations improve. These people deliberately stir up trouble whenever our relations are improving. However, in the long run, their efforts are bound to fail, because they are working against the grain of history.
I am convinced that Chinese-US relations will continue to move forward according to the framework drawn up by both presidents, as long as both sides are assiduous in taking into account the political interests of both the Chinese and the American people. We must strive for peace and development in both North and South in the 21st century, by adhering firmly to the principles enshrined in the three joint Chinese-American communiqués.
Do you believe that the world is heading towards a mono-polar order? If not, which powers, in your opinion, could contribute to the formulation of a multi-polar order? And what role can groups such as the Non-Alignment Movement play in this process?
The bipolar international order came to a close with the end of the Cold War. At that point, the world began to move towards a multi-polar order. This, in turn, provided the impetus for the creation of a new, rational and fair international political and economic system -- one that will foster international peace and security. The multi-polar system may be off to a shaky start, but there is no doubt that that is the direction in which we are heading.
The affairs of the world cannot be left to the discretion of a single nation, or group of nations. Every nation must have the final say in matters which are subject to its sovereignty. On the international level, every nation must be able to take part in determining affairs that are of global concern. For this vision to become a reality, the world of the future must inevitably be multi-polar and many-hued. Only such a world can enable the development of all nations and embody the desire for participation of all peoples who cherish peace and progress. The majority of the world's nations endorse these aspirations. Moreover, the attempt to establish a mono-polar order runs against the course of history and is, therefore, doomed to fail.
The Non-Aligned Movement is an important progressive force in the world. Since its creation, it has scored a number of major victories against imperialist tendencies, maintaining international peace, promoting joint development and strengthening the solidarity of developing countries. We hope that the Non-Aligned Movement will in future be even more active in stimulating co-operation and mutual support and thereby, play a yet greater role in international affairs.
On this note, my interview with Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Giang Chuan drew to a close. As he shook my hand to say goodbye, he added these few words: "I would like you to convey through your newspaper Al-Ahram my best wishes and great respect to President Hosni Mubarak and the people of Egypt, and to all our Arab friends, in the name of the president, government and people of China. I also ask you to convey through Al-Ahram, the most internationally influential Arabic language newspaper, my respects to its readers around the world. I am glad to have been able to meet them through this interview."
