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Egyptian, Chinese experts discuss Middle East issues in Cairo

Xinhua, November 1, 2016 Adjust font size:

Egyptian and Chinese renowned experts held on Monday a symposium in Cairo to discuss the ongoing developments in the conflict-stricken Middle East region and China's role in urging for their settlement.

Held by the Chinese embassy in Cairo in cooperation with Egypt's state-run Al-Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies, the political experts from both sides elaborated on the turmoil in several regional states including Syria, Iraq, Libya and Yemen, the relevant growing terrorism and the influence of key regional and international players on their developments.

In his opening statement during the symposium, Chinese Ambassador to Egypt Song Aiguo said China as a regional friend seeks stability and development in the Middle East region.

"As Chinese President Xi Jinping said in his speech at the Arab League, China would like to play a greater role in solving the Middle East problems. So, we call on every side to prioritize the fundamental interests of the region and we'd like to help the regional states find their own right path for development," Song added.

For his part, Diaa Rashwan, head of Cairo-based Al-Ahram Center and expert in Islamist groups' affairs, hailed the symposium as the first institutional meeting between the two sides.

"Since declaring the establishment of the People's Republic of China on Oct. 1, 1949, China has been in support of the third world countries despite its rise to the rank of big powers. We're certain that China attaches importance to the Middle East in general and Egypt in particular," said the top political expert.

With regards to regional turmoil and the rising wave of terrorism, Rashwan expected more stability within the next two to five years in Egypt, Tunisia, Syria, Iraq, Libya and Yemen despite different views.

For her part, Chen Mo, researcher at West Asia and Africa Institute of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), described the deadly conflicts in Syria and Libya as "complicated and mostly linked to the roles of external parties."

She continued that China supports dialogue to settle regional conflicts to restore peace and stability in the region. "I believe China will exert efforts in this regard."

"China respects the privacy of the region in terms of beliefs and communities," said the Chinese expert, adding that regional bodies like the Arab League and the African Union should play greater roles in resolving regional issues whose solutions should not come from external players like the United States and the West.

The discussion has been attended by other experts including Mohamed Fayez, head of Asian Studies Program, Ayman Abdel Wahab, head of Civil Society Studies Program at Al-Ahram Center, and Lu Jingchun, director of Political Office of the Chinese embassy in Cairo. Endit