From December 1^st to 3^rd, the Understanding China Conference (Guangzhou) is held at the Guangzhou Yuexiu International Congress Center. On December 1^st, former Egyptian Prime Minister Essam Sharaf and former Austrian Chancellor Wolfgang Schüssel attended the conference. In interviews with reporters, they expressed that their countries value their relationship with China and hope to strengthen their ties with China.

Former Egyptian Prime Minister Essam Sharaf:
China's proposed cooperation initiative brings more opportunities to the world

Essam Sharaf believes that the proposal of the Belt and Road Initiative has greatly promoted cultural exchanges and economic development between Egypt and China. "Connectivity and partnership are the two pillars of the Belt and Road Initiative. Connectivity means promoting more exchanges between the two countries, including cultural, economic, and trade exchanges, and partnership is the cornerstone for Egypt and China to achieve win-win results," said Essam Sharaf.

"Egypt and China are two ancient civilizations in the world, and both have made great contributions to the development of world civilization. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, Egypt was the first African country to establish diplomatic relations with China and has a long history of cooperation with China," said Essam Sharaf. He added that China's proposed economic cooperation initiatives and strategies, such as the construction of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, have brought more opportunities for cooperation to the world.

Former Austrian Chancellor Wolfgang Schüssel:
China's role in maintaining global prosperity and stability is irreplaceable

This year marks the 20^th anniversary of the establishment of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Europe. In the face of the current complex and volatile international situation, Wolfgang Schüssel, former Chancellor of Austria, believes that the world today needs closer cooperation between China and Europe.

"China-US relations once worried Europe very much. But I am an optimist, and I think the world is very different now than during the Cold War," Schüssel said. Countries are closely linked to each other, and no country or region can develop alone. For Europe, greater efforts should be made to promote cooperation."

Schüssel said that neither China, the United States, nor the European Union can rely on their own strength to solve global issues such as climate change, financial crises, and regional conflicts. Regarding the Global Security Initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping, Schüssel believes it is very welcome,"Each country's position may be different, but countries should maintain an open attitude. As the world's second-largest economy, China has an irreplaceable role to play in maintaining world prosperity and stability," said Schüssel.

Source :Yangcheng Evening News

“读懂中国”国际会议上，两位前总理盛赞中国

12月1日至3日，2023年“读懂中国”国际会议（广州）在广州越秀国际会议中心举办。12月1日，埃及前总理伊萨姆·沙拉夫、奥地利前总理沃尔夫冈·许塞尔出席会议，他们在接受记者采访时表示，他们的国家重视与中国的关系，希望加强与中国的联系。

埃及前总理伊萨姆·沙拉夫：
中国提出的合作倡议，给世界带来更多机会

埃及前总理伊萨姆·沙拉夫认为，共建“一带一路”倡议提出以来，极大地推动了埃中两国的人文交流和经济发展。“互联互通和伙伴关系是共建‘一带一路’倡议的两大支柱。互联互通就是促进两国更多的交流，包括人文、经济、贸易的交流等，伙伴关系是埃中两国实现双赢的基石。”伊萨姆·沙拉夫称。

“埃及和中国是世界两大文明古国，都给世界文明发展作出过巨大贡献。中华人民共和国成立后，埃及是第一个与中国建立外交关系的非洲国家，和中国合作的历史源远流长。”伊萨姆·沙拉夫表示，中国提出的经济合作倡议及战略，例如粤港澳大湾区建设，给世界带来了更多合作机会。

奥地利前总理沃尔夫冈·许塞尔：
中国在维护世界繁荣稳定方面的作用不可替代

今年是中欧建立全面战略伙伴关系20周年，面对当前变乱交织的国际局势，奥地利前总理沃尔夫冈·许塞尔认为，当今世界需要中欧之间进行更紧密的合作。

“中美关系曾让欧洲一度非常担忧。”许塞尔说：“但我是一名乐观主义者，我认为现在的世界和冷战期间已经截然不同。各国之间彼此紧密联系着，没有哪个国家和地区能够独善其身。从欧洲的角度来看，应当更加努力促进合作。”

许塞尔说，无论是中国、美国还是欧盟，都不可能依靠自己的力量去解决气候变化、金融危机、地区冲突等世界性问题。对于习近平主席提出的全球安全倡议，许塞尔认为这是非常值得欢迎的，“每个国家的立场可能不同，但各国要保持一个开放的态度。作为世界第二大经济体，中国在维护世界繁荣稳定方面的作用不可替代。”许塞尔说。

文 | 记者 戚美青 赵鹏 付怡
图 | 记者 戚美青 温泽广
译 | 白心怡
责编 | 王楠
校对 | 彭继业