Wen Jiabao Meets with Hosni Mubarak, Calls for Respecting Diversity of Civilizations, Vows to Promote China-Arab Ties

Chinese premier calls for respecting diversity of civilizations, vows to promote China-Arab ties

Wen delivered a speech at the headquarters of the Arab League in Cairo ·Chinese premier calls for respecting diversity of civilizations ·China is ready to further enhance its friendly co-op with the Arab world in various areas.

CAIRO, Nov. 7, 2009 (Xinhua) --

Visiting Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on Saturday highlighted the diversity of civilizations in the world, calling for respect, dialogue and exchange among different civilizations.

In a speech delivered at the headquarters of the Arab League in downtown Cairo, Wen also pledged efforts to enhance cooperation between China and the Arab world.

RESPECTING DIVERSITY OF CIVILIZATIONS

"There exist diverse civilizations in the world, just like the existence of diverse species in the nature," Wen said.

The world today is home to over 200 countries and regions, more than 2,500 ethnic groups and 6,000-plus languages, Wen said, adding that "Dialogue, exchange and integration among different civilizations form the powerful current of human civilization are surging ahead ceaselessly."

The Chinese premier said both the Islamic and the Chinese civilizations are treasures of human civilization and both have made indelible contributions to the progress and development of human society.

"Dialogue and exchange between the Chinese civilization and the Islamic civilization date back to antiquity and the world-famous Silk Road offers us the best example," said Wen.

The ever expanding and deepening exchange between China and the Arab has not only enhanced their respective cultural prosperity and economic development, but has also promoted interactions between the Eastern and Western civilizations, he noted.

Civilizations can be different, but no civilization is superior to others, Wen said. "Each civilization embodies the common vision and common aspirations of mankind shaped in the course of development and progress."

"Speaking of respecting diversity of civilizations, we must recognize that diversity of civilizations is largely reflected in ethnic and religious diversity," he said.

It is a basic policy of the Chinese government to implement and improve the system of regional ethnic autonomy, ensure equality among all ethnic groups and speed up the economic and social development of minority ethnic groups and areas inhabited by these groups, Wen explained.

"It is also our policy to ensure freedom of religious belief and bring into play the positive role of religious personages and religious believers in promoting economic and social development," Wen continued.

The Chinese government has adopted a range of policies to support economic, cultural and social development of ethnic minority groups and areas, Wen said.

Editor: Li Xianzhi

Chinese premier proposes five ways to expand Egypt ties

CAIRO, Nov. 7, 2009, (Xinhua) --

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao made a five-point proposal to further expand cooperation between China and Egypt during a meeting with his Egyptian counterpart Ahmed Nazef here on Saturday.

Wen said practical cooperation between the two sides had grown in the three years since his last visit, when the countries agreed to deepen strategic and cooperative relations. China has invested more in Egypt and people-to-people exchanges had also greatly increased.

The premier suggested the two sides should focus on the following five aspects when conducting cooperation in the future:

First, both countries should strengthen coordination with each other to bring success to the China-Egypt Suez economic and trade cooperation zone project, inaugurated by the two prime ministers after their first meeting. He said China is willing to introduce more capable Chinese companies with good credit to do business in the zone and invest more in Egypt.

Second, the two sides should promote cooperation in energy and infrastructure construction such as communication and transportation, and make steady headway in major projects, Wen said.

Third, the Chinese leader said both sides should take measures to counter the negative impacts of the global financial crisis and expand imports from each other to maintain a steady growth in bilateral trade.

Fourth, Wen suggested both sides should jointly explore markets in Africa, the Middle East and Europe using the two countries' complementary strengths to bring benefits for both on a wider scale.

Fifth, Wen proposed that exchanges between China and Egypt in cultural and educational fields should be deepened, especially exchanges among youth.

During the meeting, Wen also noted that, despite all the international and regional changes that had taken place, China and Egypt had always based their relations on the principle of mutual respect, mutual help and common development.

Since the establishment of strategic cooperative ties between the two countries 10 years ago, political mutual trust had been deepened and the cooperative fields expanded, which also helped enhance China's relations with the Arab world and Africa and boosted South-South cooperation.

"We are encouraged by all these achievements and are very confident about the future of bilateral relations," he said.

Nazef said the two countries had a traditional friendship and that he was grateful for China's assistance in Egypt's social and economic development.

He also spoke highly of the achievements made by both sides in such areas as politics, the economy and culture in the past decade.

Nazef expressed hope for further economic and trade cooperation between the two countries in the current global financial crisis, and welcomed more investment from Chinese companies in Egypt.

Egypt is willing to work with the Chinese side to advance the construction of the Suez economic and trade cooperation zone, strengthen cooperation in technology transfer and personnel training and jointly open up new markets, Nazef said.

After the meeting, both leaders attended the signing ceremony of agreements on economic, cultural and customs cooperation.

Wen is paying a two-day official visit to Egypt. He arrived in Cairo on Friday, and is to attend the fourth ministerial meeting of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, scheduled to open on Sunday.

Editor: Li Xianzhi

Premier says China hopes for further cultural exchanges with Arab countries

CAIRO, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) --

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said here Saturday that China hopes to step up cultural exchange and cooperation with Arab countries.

"Cultural exchange will help deepen mutual understanding about each other's history and current conditions, strengthen the bond of friendship and build strong public support for our friendship," Wen said in a speech at the Arab League headquarters in downtown Cairo.

"The Chinese government encourages growing educational, cultural, tourism and other exchanges with Arab countries. We will encourage more young people to study in Arab countries and welcome young Arab students to come to China for study or visit," he added.

Editor: Li Xianzhi

Chinese premier meets with Egyptian president

CAIRO, Nov. 7, 2009 (Xinhua) --

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao met with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak at the Presidential Palace in Cairo on Saturday morning.

They are expected to exchange views on bilateral relations and the fourth ministerial meeting of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, which is scheduled to open on Sunday in the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh.

Wen is paying a two-day official visit to Egypt.

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