Resolving the long-standing disputes in the Middle East can help
root out the origins of terrorism and achieve peace in the world,
President Jiang Zemin said yesterday when meeting visiting Egyptian
President Hosni Mubarak.
Mubarak arrived yesterday for a four-day visit. It is his eighth
trip to China.
Jiang said China has always supported the Palestinians' legitimate
rights and the Arabs' struggle for justice. Jiang also said China and Egypt
share similar positions, adding China is willing to enhance
co-ordination with Arab countries, Islamic countries and all
friendly developing countries to safeguard these countries'
interests.
He
said China opposes associating terrorism with a specific ethnic
group, religion or region and expanding targets for attacks at will
using anti-terrorism as an excuse. Mubarak echoed his views.
There should be no double standards on anti-terrorism, Jiang said,
reiterating China is opposed to terrorism in any form. He said the
United Nations should play an
active role in the fight against terrorism. Only by strengthening
international cooperation can world peace and stability be
achieved, he said.
Jiang then called on both sides in the Middle East to use restraint
and stop any activities detrimental to the peace process so as to
resolve the bloodshed quickly, a Foreign Ministry spokesman
said.
China voiced the hope Egypt will play an even greater role in the Middle East
peace process. Mubarak expressed appreciation for China's stance on
the Middle East issue.
He
also said Egypt is willing to enhance cooperation with China on the
anti-terrorism front and in international affairs.
Turning to the bilateral relations, Jiang said China is encouraging
domestic enterprises to import more from Egypt and increase
investment.
He
said the two sides could seek more opportunities to expand
bilateral trade through various exhibitions and mutual visits.
That is easy to do, Jiang said, now that Egypt has become an
approved destination for Chinese tourists.
Mubarak expressed satisfaction with the rapid development of the
economic and trade relations between Egypt and China.
(China Daily January
24, 2002)