Staff report: CAIRO, July 9, 2018 - Chinese Vice-President Wang Qishan has underscored Egypt's success in the realisation of stability and emphasised his country's keenness on supporting the efforts now under way to achieve development in Egypt. The Chinese vice-president expressed this position during a meeting with Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukri who is now visiting Beijing for talks with senior Chinese officials and to take part in the work of the Ministerial Meeting of China-Arab States Co-operation Forum that starts today, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ahmed Abu Zeid said. At the start of the meeting with China's Vice-President Qishan, Minister Shoukri praised the development of bilateral and historical relations between Egypt and China, making special reference in this regard to the elevation of such relations to the level of comprehensive strategic partnership. The foreign minister also asserted Egypt's appreciation of such special relations, citing the four visits that President Abdel Fattah El Sisi has paid to China at invitations from the Chinese president, Spokesman Abu Zeid said. During the meeting, Chinese Vice President Qishan expressed congratulations to Egypt for having successfully held the presidential elections and to President Sisi for having won the elections, Spokesman Abu Zeid said in a statement. The Chinese vice president also expressed appreciation for Egypt's position as it was one of the first countries to declare diplomatic recognition of the People's Republic of China. Also Monday, FM Shoukri asserted in a speech to a symposium on Egypt's foreign policies in the Middle East that undermining state institutions creates a political and social vacuum and provides space for sectarian and terrorist militias. The symposium was held at the China Institute of Contemporary International Relations (CICIR) and saw heavy attendance by intellectuals, politicians and foreign ambassadors in Beijing. Abu Zeid said that the foreign minister's speech included a review of the main challenges facing the Middle East region, the principles that govern Egypt's foreign policy towards the region and the means of achieving a comprehensive partnership with Egypt.
