Deepening Solidarity Cooperation, Op-ed

By Liao Liqiang, Chinese Ambassador to Cairo and Representative to the League of Arab States

On May 13, the foreign ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states held a virtual meeting via video conference.

During the online meeting, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi along with foreign ministers of other member states held in-depth discussions on ways to enhance international cooperation to combat COVID-19, as well as international and regional issues of common concern.

The meeting also recognized the "statement issued by the meeting of foreign ministers of the SCO member states on facing the COVID-19 outbreak." Here I would like to share with the Egyptian friends the important results reached during this meeting.

Nowadays, Coronavirus pandemic is sweeping across the world, and this represents a serious threat to the health and safety of the world's peoples, and placing increased pressure on global economic development.

Hence, in his word before the SCO meeting, Chinese Foreign Minister proposed the following "four invitations":

Firstly, he called for solidarity and cooperation in the global war against Covid-19, now there is nothing more important than the preservation of human lives, and there is nothing more urgent than solidarity and cooperation between the whole world.

The countries all over the world must overcome differences and focus on concerted efforts to combat COVID-19, without politicizing the issue of COVID-19 or stigmatizing a specific country with it.

China is fully prepared to continue providing support and assistance as much as possible to all world's states, exchange information and experiences with it, as well as promoting international cooperation to develop a drug and vaccine against the emerging Coronavirus, in order to maintain public health in the world.

Secondly, he called for security cooperation to maintain regional peace and stability. Member states should continue to apply the concept of "common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security", to enhance mutual political trust, as well as broadening and deepening the scope of security cooperation among them, so as to preserve political security and social stability.

Thirdly, he necessitated the importance of practical cooperation based on mutual benefit, in order to achieve common development.

In the light of COVID-19 outbreak, the world countries should enhance coordination of policies and adopt more flexible methods to move forward in strengthening practical cooperation within the framework of the "Belt and Road" initiative, with the aim of minimizing the repercussions of Covid-19 on the economic and social development.

Fourthly, the call for pluralism and the defense of the international multilateral system.

World's states should raise the banner of pluralism, preserve the purposes and principles of the United Nations (UN) charter, support the World Health Organization(WHO) in performing its pioneering role in combating Covid-19 globally, and firmly oppose unilateralism that pursues self-interest at the expense of others and severely harms international justice.

In light of COVID-19 spread across the whole world, the meeting of the SCO foreign ministers is gaining special significance, as it reflects the sincere desire and firm determination of the member states to combine joint efforts with all world's countries to overcome COVID-19 as soon as possible.

China is keen to work together with other SCO member states to deepen solidarity and cooperation, in order to contribute to safeguarding global public health, out of its belief in the concept of "A society with a common future for humanity".

Since the start of the coronavirus outbreak, the government and peoples of China and Egypt have been cooperating, coordinating to combat it, setting a perfect example of cooperation between countries to combat the virus.

Early March, the Egyptian Minister of Health and Population Dr. Hala Zayed visited China to convey a message of solidarity and deliver Egypt's gift to the Chinese people, in coinciding with the lighting of the three Egyptian monuments (Salah El-Din Citadel in Cairo, Karnak Temple in Luxor and Philae Temple in Aswan) in the colors of the Chinese flag, a matter which proves the depth of brotherly friendship ties between the two countries.

In turn, China has also sent batches of medical and preventive supplies to Egypt to back its Anti-Coronavirus efforts, believing that the Egyptian people will overcome the virus as soon as possible under the wise leadership of President Abdel Fattah El Sisi.

Next May 30 will mark the 64th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the People's Republic of China and the Arab Republic of Egypt.

Reviewing the past, we find that China and Egypt have always been involved in good and bad times. Looking ahead, we believe that the prospects for cooperation between them will be broader.

We are certain that China and Egypt will be able to achieve more achievements that benefit their peoples and make more contributions to promoting the common development of all world's countries, as they are among the world's oldest civilizations.