Overseas Chinese ( Huaqiao[1]) in Egypt

History and Achievement of Overseas Chinese

The Chinese have a long history of migration overseas. According to the Overseas Chinese Confederation, in May 2000 there were 34 million Chinese residing in 140 countries throughout the world. Asia has the largest population of Chinese overseas (28 million). The Americas are second (3.5 million), Europe third (1.6 million), Oceania fourth (571,000), and Africa fifth (137,000). Most of the Chinese living overseas share a common challenge of adapting to different cultural, socio-economic and political lives in their host countries. At the same time, they share a strong passion for contributing their talents to their adopted host countries and to their homeland – China.
Chinese living overseas have achieved significant influence and impact on world events through their outstanding accomplishments as scientists, scholars, educators, artists, political leaders and more. Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad of Malaysia said, “Overseas Chinese in all parts of the world have made important contributions to the development of countries they have migrated to. Wherever they may be they have contributed to the creation of wealth in these countries. They do so because of their entrepreneurship, their willingness to take risks and their quick appreciation of the needs of the places where they have migrated to. Together with their links with the emerging economic power that China has proven to be, the opportunities available to the world's Chinese entrepreneurs are truly limitless.”
Millions of Chinese immigrants in Asia generate $450-500 billion in economic activity. Chinese in Indonesia make up 3.5% of the population and control 70-75% of the wealth if listed by market capitalization. In the Philippines, Chinese account for 2% of the population and control 50% to 60% of the capital of the publicly traded companies. Much of the foreign direct investment to China has come from the Chinese Diaspora. In fact, many Chinese living overseas have their own unique challenges and triumphs in their host countries.

We can trace Chinese emigration back to its roots during the Han Tang Dynasty (206-907 A.D.). War, famine, poverty and curiosity about countries outside of China caused great numbers of Chinese to leave China in search of work and business opportunities during the second half of the 19th century. After World War II the source and status of migrants changed. The change in immigration policies, the normalization of relations between China and the United States in 1979, and the return of Hong Kong to China in 1997 have led to a new wave of émigrés—those who want to study abroad and those who want to experience adventure.

Today, we can’t ignore the contributions from Chinese living overseas during this time in history. These new changes and their impact on the countries in which the Chinese live have an important and strategic role in the history and politics of other countries.

We do believe that Chinese living overseas are a major force to push China’s modernization forward, and they can help build a well-to-do society. They have played an important role in China’s reform and opening process. Their investment accounts for more than 70% of China’s foreign investment.

Now is the right time to establish a strong link with overseas Chinese around the globe. The goal is to make a new contribution to China’s reform, open up new enterprises, and see a modernization drive. This will boost the great cause of the peaceful reunification of the motherland and further the Chinese people’s friendly communication with the people of various countries around the world.

Friendship between the Two Ancient Civilizations – China and Egypt
China and Egypt, both known for their ancient civilizations, have had a long and true friendship over the past few decades. Both countries began contacts and exchanges in the 2nd century B.C. Egypt was the first Arab and African nation to establish diplomatic ties with New China founded in October 1949. China and Egypt officially declared the establishment of diplomatic relations on May 30, 1956.
In recent years, with closer economic ties between the two countries, more Chinese enterprises have been encouraged to invest in Egypt. By 2004, Chinese businessmen had set up 110 joint ventures and Chinese-owned enterprises in Egypt, with a combined volume of 150 million US dollars. And the Egyptian counterparts are trying to facilitate these Chinese investors to establish businesses so as to bring more benefit to both countries.
According to the latest statistics from the Customs General Administration of China, bilateral trade between China and Egypt has continued its rapid growth. In the first eight months of 2004, the total trade volume between the two countries has reached USD 1.014 billion, 49.7% up from the same period of the previous year. Chinese investment in Egypt also reached US160 million in 2004. China’s export to Egypt hit USD 877.9 million with a growth rate of 47.7%.
Egypt’s export to China reached USD 136.4 million, 64% up from the same period of 2005. The latest development is that China and Egypt have signed an agreement to establish the Egyptian Chinese University (ECU) in Cairo, the first Chinese University to be set up in the Middle East region.
Chinese tourism and investment in Egypt are growing rapidly. Egypt has been a Chinese tourism destination country since 2002 as the first Arab and African country to have this advantage. The number of Chinese tourists in Egypt is doubling every year. Egypt opened a permanent Tourism Office in China in 2002, which is run by a professional sinologist. Egypt shows a great interest in encouraging more travel agencies from both sides to join and introduce the Egyptian ancient civilization, as well as its modern face to the Chinese people. In order to attract more Chinese tourists to Egypt, Egypt Air was the first Arab airline to fly directly to Beijing beginning in 2002. Now, Egypt Air has four flights weekly via Bangkok to Beijing, which will stimulate more Chinese tourists to Egypt.
The year 2006 marked the 50th anniversary celebration of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Egypt. Through the 50th anniversary celebrations, both countries agreed to strengthen exchanges in the areas of culture, education, science and technology, health and tourism in order to promote mutual understanding.
Being two of the most unique countries with fascinating ancient civilizations, China and Egypt have a lot to communicate about. As a result, the Chinese Cultural Center was established in Egypt in 2002 to enhance mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples by means of the brilliant cultural exchanges. Sino-Egyptian friendship and cooperation has reached an unprecedented level and brought about tangible benefits to the people of both countries.

Roles and Contributions of Overseas Chinese for the Host Country

According to the official update figure from the Chinese Embassy in Cairo, there are around 2,500 Chinese residing in Egypt. Most of them are represent either governmental projects or are private entrepreneurs working and living in Egypt.

Creating Wealth and Jobs
Overseas Chinese entrepreneurs with new innovation launched their unique industries and businesses in the host country. Since unemployment is a very serious problem in Egypt, Chinese entrepreneurs really help to stimulate the growth of the economy and offer more job opportunities for Egyptians. For example, marble exportation is a great success for Chinese entrepreneurs in creating wealth and jobs for Egyptian society.

Building Bridges
Overseas Chinese abide by the laws in Egypt, respect social and ethnic customs, and live with people of their host country in a friendly way in an effort to enhance the friendship between the Chinese people and the Egyptian people. During our Chinese Lunar New Year, the Chinese Cultural Center and the Chinese community organized different activities for sharing our festive traditions and values with the Egyptians.

Social Responsibilities
In the past, the overseas Chinese community was only concentrating on their businesses. However, they have become more aware of their social responsibilities in the host country. They recognize the needs and have initiated action to raise funds for helping the special needs children in Egypt. Also, the overseas Chinese community has a strong response to natural disasters which have caused great damage to some developing countries. They also took great initiative to raise funds for tsunami and earthquake victims.


Roles and Contributions of Overseas Chinese for the Homeland

The Chinese entrepreneurs and business community in Egypt has its role to play as a facilitator of China’s integration in the world economy and a potential bridge between Egypt and China. Moreover, this community plays a pro-active role in fostering China’s integration in the global economy by acting as a window for the penetration of Chinese exports on the one hand, and by capturing and channeling foreign direct investment to China on the other hand.
As a representative of the overseas Chinese community in Egypt, I am encouraged to see the growth and development of Sino-Egypt friendship. Chinese culture is one that seeks peace and harmony in every aspect of our lives. Now we are living in a world full of turmoil and chaos. It is time for us to promote genuine friendship among different cultures and races to reshape the world in harmony and unity through mutual respect and appreciation of each individual and their cultural differences and uniqueness. The Chinese community in Egypt is committed to serve as the bridge connecting China and Egypt in the area of trading and cultures. It is our goal that this friendship between two ancient civilizations will be an example of peace and harmony to the disturbing world and through this friendship will bring forth a bright future for both countries.


Contributor:
Mary Lai 黎 馨 馨

Executive Director of Sun Seng International Ltd, Egypt
香 港 新 生 國 際 有 限 公 司 總 裁

President of Cairo Chinese Speaking Women’s Association
埃 及 開 羅 華 語 婦 女 團 主 席

Member of Egypt China Foundation
埃 及 中 國 基 金 協 會 成 員

Member of All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese
中 國 僑 聯 青 年 委 員 會 委 員
[1] Huaqiao – is defined by Chinese nationality law as a person born in mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong or Macau, who resides overseas but possesses Chinese citizenship and a Chinese passport.