Allam Mahmoud. (Photo Source: chinadaily.com.cn)

Starting today, Egyptwill welcome President Xi Jinpingin his first visit to the region and to the country. This visit is of high significance for the two countries as this year marks the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Egypt and China.

The visit is of great significance in several aspects. For one, Egypt was the first Arab and African country to recognize the People's Republic of China in 1956. Since then, the two countries have worked closely together with full awareness of their backgrounds as lands of ancient civilizations that have left a rich heritage to the world. Another significance is that China and Egypt, as members of the developing world, both countries are striving to develop and to create a world order based on fair and just principles for all nations.

The visit comes one year after China and Egypt agreed to establish a "comprehensive strategic partnership" in December 2014, which raised the level of cooperation between the two nations to the next level after the "strategic cooperation agreement" which was signed in 1999.

Such strategic partnership is expected to represent a term of reference for the talks that will take place between the leaders of the two countries. The discussions will cover the bilateral, regional and international issues, including exchanging views on important issues such as threats and challenges facing world peace and security - problems like terrorism and nuclear proliferation, and the situation in the Middle East, particularly in Syria, Yemen, and the occupied Palestinian territories. China and Egypt, which are currently members of the United NationsSecurity Council, maintain close contacts on all such regional and international issues.

Egypt was always interested in working hand-in-hand with China to achieve a win-win solutions on various economic issues for all stakeholders of these institutions: Egypt is a founding member of the Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) - which was inaugurated few days ago by President Xi in Beijing, Egypt is also involved in the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) established 15 years ago, and have been present at the China Arab Cooperation Forum established in 2004. In all aspects, Egypt appreciates and supports China's role in leading initiatives to achieve these goals.

President Xi's initiative to develop the Belt and Road Initiative coincided with Egypt's megaproject to double the throughput capacity of the Suez Canal, which was inaugurated in August 2015 "as a gift from Egypt to the world".

The expansion of the Suez Canal will have a positive effect on the traffic of the global trade and shipping industry, 30 percent of whose volume already flows through the canal. This megaproject, along with the development of the Special Economic Zone in the Suez Canal area, stand as a strategic connection for the Belt and Road Initiative that can consolidate the link between the East and the West and bring Asia, Africa, and Europe closer together and play as a hub for the Chinese investment in industries for these markets .

During the visit, several key agreements are expected to be signed between Chinese and Egyptian companies in important areas of infrastructure, such as energy, transport, and construction, among others. Many of these projects reflect the objective of the strategic partnership between China and Egypt in the sense that they will help enhancing the production capacity of the two countries by introducing joint production, transfer of technology, and implementing new systems of operation and management.

Another important dimension of the upcoming presidential visit will be the commencement of the year of China in Egypt and the year of Egypt in China to commemorate the 60th anniversary.

The first event of this year of celebrations is expected to be attended by the two leaders during the President Xi's visit and is due to be held in one of Egypt's glorious historical venues which signifies the value of the relations between the two nations. The activities that will be held in both countries throughout 2016 are planned to provide a deeper understanding between the two cultures and people and would help to set the path for enhancing the historical relation to new horizons.

As a former ambassador of Egypt to China, a keen observer and a scholar of Chinese studies who is already engaged in the preparation for this occasion, I can say that the Egyptians welcome the Chinese president with open arms and warm hearts and hope that the outcome of coming visit and the celebration of the 60th anniversary will create a great steps forward for a thousand year journey between our two nations.

About the author:

Mahmoud Allam is former ambassador of Egypt to China. He is also a keen observer and scholar of Chinese studies. Currently, he works as Ministerial advisor for Ministry of International Cooperation.