seminar: china in a changing world

The Kemet Boutros-Ghali Foundation for Peace and Knowledge, in collaboration with the Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs, organized a seminar titled "China in a Changing World."

In the first collaboration between the two institutions, Mr. Mamdouh Abbas, Chairman of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees, welcomed this fruitful partnership, emphasizing the timely relevance of the seminar amidst escalating international and regional transformations. He noted that the re-election of President Xi Jinping for a third five-year term underscores China’s continued strong trajectory and introduces a new dimension to its international presence, as seen in the reshuffling of top leadership and structural changes in its military capabilities.

Mr. Abbas highlighted China’s increasingly assertive foreign policy, especially its active engagement with Africa and the Arab world, which signals a shift from purely investment-driven relations to a more strategic political involvement—citing, for instance, the Saudi-Iranian agreement and Xi's visit to Russia. He raised a pertinent question about Egypt’s position amid these changes, especially given the relatively modest level of Chinese investments in Egypt compared to the two countries’ long-standing ties.

Former Foreign Minister Mohamed El-Orabi, President of the Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs, emphasized the significance of this seminar, particularly in light of China’s recent diplomatic moves, including its mediation in the Russia-Ukraine war. He suggested that China may also play a role in resolving other global crises such as the Palestinian issue or the GERD dispute between Egypt and Ethiopia.

The discussion was divided into two sessions:

Session One:
Ambassador Hisham El-Zemiti, a member of the advisory board of both Kemet and the Council, moderated the session. He pointed out the difficulty in obtaining unbiased information about China due to the dominance of Western sources.

Dr. Abdel Moneim Said, Chairman of Al-Masry Al-Youm, discussed China’s emergence as a global superpower. He emphasized China’s vast international reach and its role in reshaping global trade balances. He considered China’s February 2023 joint statement with Russia as a turning point, signaling its intention to challenge the unipolar world order. He described China’s internal development period as one of “strategic latency,” during which it focused solely on economic growth without being distracted by internal or external crises.
Ambassador Ezzat Saad, Executive Director of the Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs, noted that while China and Russia share mutual interests and views regarding the West, China remains cautious of jeopardizing its Western economic ties, especially under threat of sanctions.
Dr. Faiza Farhat, Director of Al-Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies, highlighted China’s clear vision to reshape globalization through initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative—now joined by over 150 countries—and efforts to establish alternative financial institutions across Asia and Europe.
Session Two:
Moderated by Dr. Mostafa El-Feki, a member of both the Kemet Board and the Council, this session delved into the cultural and strategic aspects of China’s global approach.

Dr. El-Feki stated that China remains mysterious in the Arab mind due to its geographical and historical distance. Yet it has long-standing ties with Africa and Egypt, and it played a supportive role in African liberation movements.
Dr. Ibtisam Ali, Assistant Professor of Political Science at Cairo University, shared her experiences in China, describing its society as welcoming yet disciplined, with high respect for the rule of law. She noted that while China has seen remarkable economic growth, it remains an authoritarian, patriarchal society.
Ambassador Magdy Amer, Egypt’s former ambassador to China, recalled the strategic partnership agreement signed under President Hosni Mubarak and noted that Egypt was among the first three countries to join the Belt and Road Initiative in 2013. He clarified that Chinese investments in Egypt, though substantial, are often miscalculated or misunderstood, currently totaling approximately $7 billion.
Ambassador Ali Hefny, former ambassador to Beijing, emphasized that China’s increasing global role is closely tied to its economic strength and long-term planning. He urged deeper understanding and readiness in Egypt to engage with China politically and economically.
Mr. Amr Moussa, former Foreign Minister and Secretary-General of the Arab League, stressed the need for a strategic framework to guide Egypt-China cooperation and avoid haphazard investment efforts.
Dr. Amani El-Tawil, Director of the African Affairs Unit at Al-Ahram Center, highlighted the potential for Egypt to benefit from Chinese-funded infrastructure projects in Africa, such as the Egypt–Sudan–Chad road.
In closing, participants stood for a moment of silence in honor of renowned African affairs scholar Helmy Shaarawy, after which Mr. Mamdouh Abbas announced a new annual African Studies Prize to be named in his memory, pending board approval.