Chinese VP asks for more science, tech cooperation with Egypt

Zakaria Fouad Fawzy Hassan shares his work and study experience with Vice-Premier Liu Yandong. [Photo by Hou Liqiang/chinadaily.com.cn]

Zakaria Fouad Fawzy Hassan is the first Egyptian scientist who participated. He said he took part in various international conferences, workshops and training programs when he was in China in 2014.

"I communicated often with Chinese scientists in combating desertification, on sustainable agricultural and food safety and made great improvements in my ability," he said.

The young scientist wrote two books on the potential of China-Egypt cooperation in sustainable agricultural development when he was in China.

Osama Abusaud also went to China in 2014.

"I worked as an assistant and also a student for a famous professor at the China Academy of Science. I have gained a lot and have participated in combating desertification in the Sinai Peninsula after I came back," he said.

China's Belt and Road initiatives conjoin with the development of Egypt's New Suez Canal economic corridor, and Egypt is a founding member of China-initiated Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, so the two countries have a lot of cooperative potential. The two countries should put more scientific and technological cooperation into practice with good plans, Liu said.

Ahraf Al-Shihy, minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research in Egypt, said he is expecting better cooperation with China in the field of science and technology.

Egypt is the first stop on Liu's visit to the Middle East this month, followed by Israel and Palestine. She has attended several activities since her arrival in Egypt on Friday, including a cornerstone ceremony for a building at Cairo University's Confucius Institute, a Chinese higher education fair and a forum for Chinese and Egyptian university chiefs. She also met Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, Secretary-General Nabil El Araby of the League of Arab States and Egyptian Prime Minister Sherif Ismail on Sunday.

This year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Egypt.

In January during President Xi Jinping's visit, the launch of a year of bilateral cultural exchanges between Egypt and China was announced to mark the anniversary.

Liu leaves Egypt today.