China calls for social reconciliation in Egypt

BEIJING - China on Thursday called for the early realization of social reconciliation and national stability in Egypt.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hua Chunying made the remarks at a daily news briefing following the Egyptian Ministry of Social Solidarity's decision to dissolve the Muslim Brotherhood as a non-governmental organization (NGO).

The decision came along with a Cairo Appeal Court order on Wednesday to set Nov 4 for the trial of deposed president Mohamed Morsi, along with another 14 top leaders and members of the Muslim Brotherhood over violence that took place in the presidential palace in December.

"The Chinese side holds that Egypt's affairs should be decided by the Egyptian people on their own," said Hua.

"We hope an inclusive political process of transition will advance smoothly in Egypt, and social reconciliation and national stability will be achieved at an early date," she added.

The Egyptian armed forces toppled Morsi on July 3 in response to massive protests across the country against the Islamic leader. Over the past three months, Morsi's supporters have called for continuous protests to reinstate the man they describe as the legitimate president deposed by a military coup.