The following is the text of the exclusive interview between PD correspondent Li Feng and Egyptian Assistant Foreign Minister Ezzat Saad El-Sayed.

The third symposium on Sino-Egyptian relations was held recently in Beijing. The Egyptian assistant foreign minister who came to attend the symposium, after the meeting, accepted an exclusive interview given by People's Daily on questions concerning Egypt-China ties, the Iraqi situation and Palestine-Israel relations.

Question: What do you think about the status quo of Sino-Egyptian relations?

Answer: The political relationship between Egypt and China is fine and stable. Our President has visited your country eight times, almost as many as his visits to the United States. Cooperation between our two countries has taken a big stride forward since the Chinese President's trip to Egypt this past January. In early December this year, we will greet the visit by the Chinese Minister of Commerce, accompanying him on the visit will be responsible members of 80 Chinese companies. The number of tourists from China to Egypt is on the rise annually, Egypt has received 65,000 Chinese tourists this year, it is estimated that there will be more Chinese traveling to Cairo next year. China does not have a colonial history, and it and Arab countries both belong to the East, therefore the Chinese are greatly welcomed by the ordinary Arabian people, we regard China as a traditional good friend capable of being mutually understandable. China is one of the most important trading partners of Egypt, there is still great room for economic and trade development between the two countries. In recent years, particularly since our President's 1999 visit to China, Egyptian-Chinese trade volume has witnessed great advance.

Q: What's your view on the role China plays in the Middle East region?

A: The Mid-east region is very important for China. Without peace and stability, there would be no safety guarantee for our economic, trading and personnel exchanges. US Middle-east policy is unfair, Americans always unilaterally emphasize the responsibility Palestine should undertake, but they usually remain silent about the actions of Israel. We need the involvement of greater force in order to balance such a situation. We hope China could play a still greater role in the Middle East region.

Q: Currently, Iraq is in a chaotic situation, and it seems there is still no effective solution to it, what's your approach to this question?

A: Reasons for the emergence of this situation are: First is because Iraq is still in a state of being occupied, the people there have a strong sense of resistance; second is that many political forces of Iraq are being marginalized, which results in an unbalance of political powers. Many functionaries of the present Iraqi provisional government were exiles 20-30 years ago, who have estranged ties with the Iraqi people, many common Iraqi people regard the provisional government merely as the continuation and expansion of the occupation of US troops. Unless the United States announces a timetable for its troop withdrawal and carries it out in real earnest, otherwise this violence situation will continue unabated.

Q: What's your approach toward the Palestine-Israel situation after the death of Arafat?

A: As a great leader, Arafat has numerous faithful supporters. Ordinary Palestinian people, in particular, ardently love Arafat, therefore for a period after the passing away of Arafat, there may be strong reaction among the Palestinian people, and this is only normal. From the medium- and long-term point of view, split will not occur within Palestine. Current Palestinian leaders exhibit a strong sense of political responsibility, the Palestinian government is operating steadily. What's most important is no matter who will take over the post of Arafat, he must have support from the international community and Israel must halt its hostile acts against Palestine. Only in this way, will Middle East peace process continue on.

As to whether the death of Arafat means an opportunity in Palestine-Israel peace process in the eyes of the United States and Israel depends on whether the governments of the two countries really think so. They used to regard Arafat as an obstacle to the peace process, it would possibly be an opportunity if they really thought so, and which is not merely an excuse. In light of the present situation it still needs to be seen.

Q: As a big country in the Mid-east region, Egypt has paid a huge price in the Arab-Israeli conflicts, at the same time it has made important contribution to the Palestine-Israel peace process. In the post-Arafat era, how will Egypt continue to support the peace process?

A: Our roles will basically remain unchanged, we'll soon chair the fourth round dialogs among various Palestinian factions, and will maintain routine ties with the Palestinian side. Because Palestine and Israel are our neighbors, therefore we hope the Palestine-Israel issue can be settled smoothly. We'll maintain the consistency of policies and will actively carry out cooperation and consultation with our strategic partners including China. Egypt will not give up its effort, because this bears on peace, security and stability, and that is precisely what we need.

The text of this exclusive interview was carried on page 7 of People's Daily November 29, 2004 and translated by People's Daily Online