Chinese president's visit to Egypt 'opportunity' to promote bilateral cooperation

Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Egypt today is an opportunity to promote cultural, scientific and educational cooperation between Egypt and China, said Egypt's cultural adviser in Beijing Hussein Ibrahim.

In exclusive statements to MENA correspondent here, Ibrahim said that the initiative to revive the Silk Road aims to increase understanding between the two nations.

He also said that he sees in the Egyptian-Chinese culture year 2016 a great opportunity for the people of both countries to get acquainted with the culture and traditions of each other.

Several cultural and scientific agreements will be signed between Egypt and China during Xi's visit to Egypt, including the partnership agreement between Cairo and Shanghai, which is considered the economic and financial center of China, he said.

He also said that a memorandum of understanding will be signed between the Egyptian Grand Museum and Shanghai Museum.

Also, a technical agreement between the two countries will be signed between Egypt and China on the participation of manufacturing new Egyptian satellite "Egypt Sat II", which will be funded by China, he added.

An agreement will be signed in field of higher education to increase the number of scholarships from the Chinese government for the Egyptian graduate students to 500 scholarships within the upcoming five years in the various scientific spheres, he said.

Asked about the activities which will be carried out by Egypt in China on the occasion of the Egyptian-Chinese cultural year, Ibrahim said that preparations are underway to hold about 40 events that cover the various cultural, tourist, educational and scientific spheres.

Talking about the activities which will be held by China in 2016, Ibrahim said that the Chinese side is planning to organize several events throughout the year.

Source: MENA