CAIRO, July 14 (Xinhua) -- Relations between Egypt and China constitute a "strategic model" for cooperation among Global South countries, an Egyptian expert said recently, citing closer diplomatic coordination, expanding economic cooperation and an increasingly robust strategic partnership.
The bilateral relationship is enjoying its strongest momentum in history, building on a longstanding political and civilizational legacy as well as extensive economic and strategic interests that have made Egypt and China key partners at both the regional and international levels, Rania Aboelkheir, secretary-general of Cairo-based think tank Global Forum for Future Studies, told Xinhua in an interview.
"The important progress in bilateral relations confirms a promising future at all levels and offers broad prospects for deeper cooperation and closer ties, especially given the convergence of the two countries' visions," Aboelkheir said.
Egypt was the first Arab and African country to recognize the People's Republic of China, while China has become one of Egypt's major trading partners. Chinese companies have played a significant role in supporting the Egyptian economy through direct investment in infrastructure and large-scale industrial projects, she said.
Aboelkheir highlighted flagship Chinese-invested-and-developed projects, including the China-Egypt TEDA Suez Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone in Ain Sokhna and the Central Business District in Egypt's New Administrative Capital, home to Africa's tallest building the Iconic Tower.
She noted Egypt's continued efforts to attract more Chinese investment across infrastructure, smart cities, technology, the green economy, education and tourism, supported by alignment between the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and Egypt's Vision 2030.
Aboelkheir also spoke highly of major initiatives proposed by China, including the BRI, the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, the Global Civilization Initiative and the Global Governance Initiative, saying they provide equitable development alternatives for the Global South, free from unfair conditionalities.
These initiatives, she noted, support the Global South politically, economically and developmentally by safeguarding national sovereignty, rejecting interference in countries' internal affairs, and promoting diplomacy as the preferred means of resolving disputes rather than resorting to war.
Aboelkheir highlighted China's support through infrastructure investment, which helps strengthen connectivity among developing economies and between those economies and global markets, and multilateral financial institutions, such as the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and the New Development Bank, which provide flexible financing for development projects without interfering in the domestic policies of recipient countries.
Having visited China multiple times and participated in numerous events hosted by Chinese institutions, Aboelkheir affirmed the think tank's keen interest in China and the country's global role, which she said is rooted in political values and humanitarian principles that foster justice and equality. Enditem
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