On September 30, the Chinese ambassador and Mrs. Liu Xiaoming hosted the National Day reception at the residence to celebrate the 53rd anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

Among more than 800 guests attending the reception, are high-ranking Egyptian officials including Dr. Youssef Wali Vice Chairman of the National Democratic Party, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of Egypt-China Friendship Association, , Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher, Minister of Tourism Beltagi, Minister of Industry and Technological Development Saeidi, Minister of State for Environment Affairs Reyad, Chairman of Administrative Control Agency Tantawi, Governor of Cairo Governorate Shehata and Major General Ibrahim, personal representative of Minister of Defense and Military Production. . Friends of various circles, foreign envoys and overseas Chinese also attended the reception.

Ambassador Liu Xiaoming delivered a speech at the reception. He said, in 53 years since the founding of the People's Republic, earthshaking changes have taken place in China. Especially in the past two decades since the reform and opening-up, the Chinese people have made a miracle in modernizing the country, which is rarely seen in the history of China as well as that of the world. A stable, developing and prosperous China will make greater contributions to the peace and development of the world.

In commenting China-Egypt relations, ambassador Liu summarized the remarkable progress in the past year by listing a number of "Firsts". In political relations, it is for the first time that the state leaders of the two countries exchanged visits in the same year. In January, President Mubarak paid his 8th visit to China. in April, Premier Zhu Rongji visited Egypt. In economic and trade relations, the first China-Egypt Joint Business Council was established. The bilateral trade has grown steadily and China's imports from Egypt showed a rapid increase of 10%. For the first time in history, China imported Egypt-made cars in large quantity. As far as cultural and educational relations are concerned, the first Chinese cultural center in Cairo is to be opened next month. And in conjunction with this event the two countries will jointly sponsor the first Chinese Cultural Week. The two governments also agreed on building a Chinese school in Cairo, which will be the first Chinese school not only in Egypt, but also in the Middle East and in the entire African continent. With respect to tourism, Egypt became in May the first Arab destination country for Chinese tourists. And many Chinese tourists came since then to see their dreams come true. In military exchanges, a Chinese naval fleet made a historic port call on Alexandria, which broke new ground for cooperation between the two militaries. The cooperation between China and Egypt on international arena has also been strengthened. China for the first time appointed a special envoy for the Middle East affaires. This will further enhance cooperation between China and Egypt and other Middle East countries on issues of mutual concern. All these "Firsts" fully demonstrate the importance China and Egypt have attached to the strategic and cooperative relationship between the two countries.

In his speech, Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Wali extended to the Chinese people his cordial congratulations on the 53rd anniversary of the founding of the P.R.C. and lauded the great achievements that China has made in various fields in the past half century, especially since reform and opening-up. He stressed that Egypt-China relations are on a sound track. President Mubarak attaches great importance to Egypt-China relations and follows closely every cooperation project with China. The President has by now visited China for 8 times. Deputy Prime Minister Wali believes that the traditional friendship between Egypt and China will be further consolidated and developed in the new century, which will have a positive impact on the whole world.

After the speeches, ambassador Liu invited Deputy Prime Minister Wali to cut the National Day cake, which marks the culmination of the reception.