Ashraf AboArafe
Cairo – This morning, at one of Cairo’s finest hotels, the Embassy of China in Egypt convened a symposium that embodied the spirit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), while commemorating the 80th anniversary of China’s victory in World War II against fascism. The event intertwined the echoes of history with the aspirations of the present, offering a bridge between sacrifice and shared futures.
Distinguished Attendance
The symposium brought together a constellation of diplomats and intellectuals, including:
- H.E. Ambassador Amr Hamza, Egypt’s new Ambassador to China.
- H.E. Minister Plenipotentiary Mohamed bin Sediq, Representative of the Arab League.
- H.E. Ambassador Ezzat Saad.
- H.E. Secretary-General Salah Adly.
- H.E. Ambassador Ali El-Hefny, Representative of the Egyptian–Chinese Friendship Association.
- Mr. Zhang Tao, Chargé d’Affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Cairo.
- Ms. Deng Yushan, Deputy Director.
The discussion was moderated by Mr. Zhu Xiaozhong, Media Counsellor at the Chinese Embassy.
Zhang Tao’s Address: Between Memory and Vision
In his keynote speech, Mr. Zhang Tao expressed his joy at meeting the audience and highlighted two significant recent events in China: the Tianjin Summit of the SCO and the 80th anniversary of China’s victory in the Second World War.
His speech revolved around three main themes:
- The Memory of Victory: He recalled China’s sacrifices in the war—35 million lives lost—and its vital role in defeating fascism, contributing to the defense of human civilization. He emphasized that this victory was not only pivotal for China’s national renaissance but also sowed the seeds of Sino–Egyptian solidarity in their common struggles against colonialism. Zhang further underlined that historic documents, including the Cairo Declaration signed in Egypt, and the Potsdam Proclamation, confirmed China’s sovereignty over Taiwan, praising Egypt’s steadfast support for the “One China” principle.
oplus_34 - The SCO Tianjin Summit: Zhang stressed the summit’s importance in reshaping global governance, highlighting President Xi Jinping’s “Five Adherences” (seeking common ground, mutual benefit, openness, fairness, pragmatism). The Tianjin Declaration, he noted, explicitly called for an immediate ceasefire in Palestine, unhindered humanitarian access to Gaza, and reaffirmed that lasting peace in the Middle East rests on a just resolution of the Palestinian cause.
- Sino–Egyptian Relations: Zhang described Egypt as China’s strategic partner in the Global South, stressing the need to deepen cooperation in renewable energy, joint manufacturing, finance, and research. He called for closer synergy between the Belt and Road Initiative and Egypt’s Vision 2030, while announcing the convening of the First China–Egypt Investment Forum in Cairo this October.
Political Messages Between the Lines
The event was more than a commemoration; it carried layered messages:
- To Egypt and the Arab World: China views Egypt as a gateway to Arab engagement and deeply values its principled stance on the “One China” policy.
- To the international community: Despite its grand military parade, China portrays itself as a “pillar of peace,” committed to global stability through its initiatives on development, security, civilization, and governance.
- To Palestine: Beijing signaled that no fair international order can exist without a just resolution of the Palestinian question.
Conclusion: Weaving Memory into the Future
From the solemn memory of Tiananmen Square to the banks of the Nile, the Cairo symposium illustrated how history can guide present action and future cooperation. Zhang Tao’s words underscored that Sino–Egyptian relations are now at their peak, guided by the leadership of Presidents Xi Jinping and Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, and are evolving beyond bilateral ties toward the shared vision of building a Community with a Shared Future for Mankind.
