Egypt says recognizes one China despite Taiwan deal

CAIRO, Egypt (Reuters) -- Egypt's Foreign Minister Amr Moussa said on Saturday his country recognized only one China, with Beijing as its capital, insisting Egypt's trade ties with Taiwan had no political significance.

"Egypt has trade relations with Taiwan like other states do," Moussa told reporters. But he added that these ties were restricted to matters of trade and did not imply political recognition.

Taiwan said on Friday that it had reached agreement with Egypt to exchange representative offices despite a lack of diplomatic relations.

Taiwan's Foreign Ministry said in a statement the move was designed to cope with growing trade and cultural exchanges between Taiwan and Egypt.

Egypt switched diplomatic recognition to Beijing from Taipei in 1956.

Currently, only 29 countries -- mostly poor nations in Africa, the Pacific and Central America -- recognize Taiwan, regarded by Beijing as a breakaway province that must eventually be reunified with the mainland, by force if necessary.

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