【高端访谈】中国可持续发展经验为埃及提供宝贵借鉴——访埃及沙漠研究中心主任胡沙姆·舒基

Core Viewpoint - Egypt seeks to learn from China's successful practices in arid land greening and sustainable development, particularly in desertification control, water resource management, and agricultural productivity enhancement [1][2]. Group 1: Cooperation and Research - The Desert Research Center in Egypt has initiated scientific cooperation and academic exchanges with China, with many Egyptian researchers obtaining advanced degrees in environmental, agricultural, and desertification prevention fields in China [1]. - A memorandum of understanding for sustainable agricultural cooperation was signed on September 30, involving the Wuhan Botanical Garden, the Sino-African Joint Research Center, and the Desert Research Center in Cairo [1]. - The Sino-African Joint Research Center will establish a regional office at the Desert Research Center to enhance collaboration among research institutions in China, Egypt, and other North African countries [1]. Group 2: Agricultural Challenges and Solutions - The Desert Research Center is collaborating with Chinese investors and scientists to cultivate non-traditional high-yield crops that can grow in saline and arid conditions, aiming for higher yields with less water [2]. - Egypt faces significant challenges in meeting food demand due to population growth, compounded by severe water shortages and limited arable land [2]. - The annual per capita water resource in Egypt is only 500 cubic meters, categorizing it as extremely water-scarce according to international standards [2]. Group 3: Environmental Protection and Sustainability - Egypt loses land annually due to desertification, drought, and shifting sand dunes, making cooperation with China on green protective belts and afforestation projects crucial for environmental protection and investment security [2]. - Both Egypt and China are committed to sustainable development through technological research and international cooperation, particularly with China, to ensure water and food security for future generations [2].