Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly addressed the opening ceremony of the first China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai on Monday.

Mostafa said they are here at the expo to show their appreciation to China, for its "commitment to a multilateral trading system and to promoting fair trade among countries.”

He said he believes the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative, a global economic endeavor linking Asia with Europe and Africa, will be essential for the development of countries along the Belt and Road route.