Egyptian Ambassador to China: The prosperity and progress of developing countries are beneficial to people around the world. Belt | China | Progress

"I usually use WeChat, and my family and friends in Egypt find Chinese short video platforms very interesting." Egyptian Ambassador to China Asim Hanafi recently stated in an interview with this newspaper that social media is an important way for the younger generation to obtain information, and he hopes to further bring the people of Egypt and China closer through social media.

"There are new experiences every day"

Hanafi and China first met in a school classroom, where Chinese students studied Egyptian history and Egyptian students also learned about Chinese civilization, all of whom knew about the ancient Silk Road. In college, Hanafi majored in international relations and became very interested in Chinese politics. He carefully studied the development of the CPC and the history of the Chinese people's struggle for national independence. The similar history between China and Egypt has strongly resonated with Hanafi, saying, "Both the people of Egypt and China insist on upholding national independence and dignity, resisting hegemony and oppression."

In September 2022, Hanafi arrived in China and embarked on a journey to China. "This is my first time coming to China, and I have new experiences every day, which makes me very excited," said Hanafi. "I have gone to Shanghai and Tianjin, and I also want to visit more provinces and cities in China to experience the diversity of culture and the rapid development of the economy."

Chinese path to modernization is the key word for Hanafi's in-depth observation of China. China has completed the industrialization process that developed Western countries have gone through for hundreds of years in just a few decades, creating a miracle of rapid economic development and long-term social stability. He said, "I am well aware that China has made great efforts to lift people out of poverty and become rich and live with dignity. It is not easy to let more than 1.4 billion people live a good life. China's achievements are amazing. All this has been achieved under the leadership of the CPC."

Hanafi saw a new choice for developing countries to move towards modernization independently from Chinese path to modernization. "I respect the experience of Chinese path to modernization very much." Hanafi said that Chinese path to modernization is deeply rooted in China's excellent traditional culture, which is particularly worth learning from Egypt. "Chinese people have a deep sense of patriotism, while Egyptians also value family harmony and social unity. I am eager to understand how China has preserved traditional values while developing rapidly. This combination is extremely impressive."

"Happy to see China prosper and prosper"

In 2023, China's economic recovery is a topic of concern for Hanafi. The streets are bustling with traffic, scenic spots are bustling with tourists, restaurants are bustling with people, and factories are roaring with machinery, making people feel the strong pulse of China's economy. "I am very optimistic about the prospects of China's economy. Currently, the world economy has not yet recovered to its best state, but this year the Chinese economy is expected to recover strongly and burst into vitality, which is very exciting." Hanafi said, "China's prosperity is inseparable from global prosperity, and we are happy to see China's prosperity. China's progress is the progress of the world."

Turning to the opportunities that China's development brings to the world, Hanafi gave an example: "Jointly building the 'the Belt and Road' initiative is an important symbol of China's contribution to the world's development." He said that this year marks the 10th anniversary of the joint building of the 'the Belt and Road' initiative, which has blossomed and borne fruit in various parts of the world in the past 10 years and is of great significance to relevant countries. Egypt is one of the first countries to respond to the "the Belt and Road" initiative. Over the past 10 years, Egypt and China have jointly built the "the Belt and Road" with fruitful results. "Egypt China cooperation has many good projects, covering ports, industry, education and other areas of concern to Egyptians. Egyptians saw the Chinese flag at the project site, and felt that the 'the Belt and Road' has brought tangible cooperation results." Hanafi said.

Egypt's Ramadan 10 Light Rail is one of the flagship projects of China Egypt "the Belt and Road" cooperation. Hanafi introduced that this light rail line connects important stations such as the Egyptian capital Cairo and the new administrative capital. After its opening in 2022, it greatly facilitates the travel of nearly 5 million residents along the line. "This light rail line provides experience for the development of Egypt's intercity rapid rail transit system," said Hanafi.

Hanafi frequently praised the China Egypt Teda Suez Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone. This cooperation zone is jointly built by Tianjin enterprises and the Egyptian side. After years of development, a modern industrial new city has been built on the wasteland of the Red Sea. "I have been to the cooperation zone and had several exchanges with local officials. Not long ago, I also went to Tianjin. I learned that the cooperation zone has attracted many enterprises to settle in and provided employment opportunities for more than 50000 Egyptians directly or indirectly." Hanafi said, "The story of Egypt and China jointly building the 'the Belt and Road' is very attractive. There are many promising projects under the 'the Belt and Road' initiative, and we are looking forward to it."

"A model of South South cooperation"

Looking back at the scenes of cooperation between Egypt and China on the international stage, Hanafi believes that the strategic significance of Egypt China moving forward side by side goes beyond bilateral scope, and that "Egypt China relations are a model of South cooperation.".

Hanafi said that taking global governance of climate change as an example, the United Nations Climate Change Sharm El Sheikh Conference hosted by Egypt in 2022 established a Loss and Damage Fund to assist developing countries that are vulnerable to the impact of climate change. This achievement cannot be achieved without the cooperation of all friendly countries such as China. Egypt and China closely coordinate under the COP27 framework, and there is great potential for green transformation cooperation. Both Egypt and China are moving towards carbon neutrality, and both sides are actively promoting cooperation in areas such as wind energy, solar energy, and hydrogen energy. "The impact of climate change transcends national borders, affecting the safety and well-being of people around the world, and everyone will benefit from the green transition," said Hanafi.

"Developing countries have enormous potential to work together to achieve common goals," Hanafi said, stating that Egypt China space cooperation is another vivid case. Egypt is the first country to carry out satellite cooperation with China under the framework of jointly building the "the Belt and Road". In recent years, Egypt China space cooperation has been fruitful. "China's advanced aerospace technology can be applied in a wide range of fields such as disaster prevention and reduction, agriculture, etc. China's aerospace technology advantages can help Egypt and many developing countries."

Speaking of his understanding of South South cooperation, Hanafi said: "We should not live in a world of 'North South confrontation', but should open our arms to all friendly partners. The progress of developing countries will also benefit developed countries. For example, when developing countries become rich, they will buy more goods from developed countries, and all countries will benefit from it. China's initiative to jointly build the 'the Belt and Road', the global development initiative, the global security initiative, the global civilization initiative, etc. have released goodwill to the world and provided China's plan to build a better world."

Planning/Wang Piyi

Reviewed by/Niu Ningmao Li

Copywriting/Wu Zhengdan

Interview/Mao Li, He Li, Wu Zhengdan