In the office of former Egyptian Prime Minister Essam Sharaf in Cairo, there is a wall adorned with souvenirs featuring Chinese cultural elements such as paper-cutting, calligraphy, facial makeup, trophies, and certificates. These mementos serve as a testament to his years of friendly exchanges with China, leaving him with fond memories. In 2005, as Egypt's Minister of Transport, I visited China for the first time. I can feel the rapid development of China's economy at that time. Since then, I have visited China over 30 times, and the ever-evolving country has left a deep impression on me, Sharaf said. He believed that China's development achievements are not only evident in its constantly changing urban landscape but also in the continuous improvement of its people's lives.  

Today, China has emerged as a powerful, modern, and civilized country. There is no doubt that these accomplishments are closely tied to the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China, said Sharaf, adding that the CPC adheres to a people-centered approach, and the Chinese people wholeheartedly trust and support the Party's leadership. The CPC's success in governance lies in its commitment to putting the people first. It gathers social consensus and serves as a driving force for progress.  

As one of the earliest Egyptian readers of "Xi Jinping: The Governance of China," Sharaf participated in a seminar to promote the Arabic version of the book as early as 2014. He expressed that this book not only allows readers to understand China's recent development achievements and experience but also enables them to appreciate President Xi Jinping's insightful and forward-thinking approach to state governance and administration. Under the leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, China has successfully won the battle against poverty and built a moderately prosperous society in all respects as scheduled, ushering in bright prospects for realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.  

　Sharaf was deeply impressed by the conclusion in the book that "It is the people of a country that are in the best position to judge the path of development they have chosen for themselves." He believed that China has not copied the development models of other countries and has unswervingly followed the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics, providing very valuable references for other developing countries. In his view, the Belt and Road Initiative, the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, etc. proposed by President Xi Jinping are all global public goods provided by China and will help promote the construction of a community with a shared future for mankind. China's initiatives and China's actions not only chart the course for improving global governance and upholding multilateralism, but also bring hope for prosperity and development to the vast number of developing countries, Sharaf said.  

Sharaf is a strong advocate of the Belt and Road Initiative and has actively participated in numerous discussions and lectures on the initiative in Egypt, other Arab countries, and even some European nations. According to him, the most significant impact of jointly building the Belt and Road Initiative is the establishment of a global cooperation mechanism that promotes fair governance and upholds the principles of multilateralism, extensive consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits. The ancient Silk Road, which once served as a bridge between the East and West, facilitated exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations. However, in the current era of economic globalization, there is a growing tide of countercurrents, such as populism and xenophobia, as well as threats posed by unilateralism, protectionism, and hegemonism, which undermine global peace and development, noted Sharaf, adding that the joint construction of the Belt and Road Initiative breathes new life into the ancient Silk Road and takes on new missions. It helps the partner countries break free from isolation and fosters closer connections among them.  

In the past decade, an increasing number of countries have embraced the joint construction of the Belt and Road Initiative. China has already signed cooperation agreements with over 150 countries, leading to the implementation of numerous practical projects and a continuous expansion of investment. "Beyond the impressive numbers, I see a promising future for the Belt and Road Initiative in driving global development," Sharaf remarked. He believed that the joint construction of the initiative aligns with Egypt Vision 2030 and presents a tremendous opportunity for cooperation between Egypt and China. Projects like the China-Egypt TEDA Suez Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone and the Central Business District at Egypt's New Administrative Capital, situated along the Red Sea coast, play a crucial role in promoting Egypt's economic and social development and improving the lives of its people.  

According to Sharaf, cooperation in building the Green Silk Road, Healthy Silk Road, Digital Silk Road, and Innovation Silk Road within the Belt and Road framework encompasses a broader spectrum of development. "As the world unites to combat the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the significance of jointly constructing the Belt and Road Initiative has become even more prominent," Sharaf stated. He emphasized that partner countries and regions had worked together to fight the epidemic since its outbreak, strengthened their cooperation in restoring economic development and overcoming common challenges. China's promotion of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation contributes to the implementation of the United Nations' 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and opens up new prospects for international cooperation and shared development.