Chinese premier's Egypt visit boosts civilization dialogue, friendly cooperation: FM

BEIJING, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao's visit to Egypt and his attendance to a FOCAC meeting from Friday to Sunday have promoted civilization dialogue and China-Africa friendly cooperation, Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said Monday.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao speaks during the 3rd Conference of Chinese,  African Entrepreneurs in the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh on Nov. 7, 2009.(Xinhua/Li Tao)

During the visit, Wen participated in the opening ceremony of the Fourth Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) held in the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh.

Yang, who accompanied Wen during the trip, said the current world is experiencing tremendous development, transformation and restructuring, adding the international financial crisis is a critical challenge facing the developing countries, including African and Arab nations.

Yang said China is the biggest developing country in the world, which takes it the cornerstone of its foreign policy to strengthen and develop its solidarity and cooperation with other developing countries.

China remains committed to boosting the friendly cooperation with African and Arab countries and safeguarding their common interests, so as to realize common development, he added.

This year would see the wrap-up of the 2006 Beijing Summit of the FOCAC, and is the 10th anniversary of China-Egypt strategic cooperative ties, Yang said.

Premier Wen's visit shows China attaches great importance to its relations with Africa, the Arab world and Egypt, and reflects China's wish and determination to deepen its cooperation with African and Arab countries and to work together to overcome the current difficulties, he added.