Egypt's plan for new capital offers food for thought

Egypt is determined to rise from devastation of the West-led "Arab Spring" by building a glitzy new capital between the existing one in Cairo and the Suez Canal. The move aimed at building a pollution-free and sustainable city has won the support of many oil-rich Arab countries such as Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and United Arab Emirates, which have pledged to provide the bulk of the $15 to 20 billion expenditure.

In these times of falling oil prices, this is a bold step to capture new development fronts, which could also check Cairo's population explosion and traffic congestion pressures.

Many Chinese may think Egypt's bold plan offers them the investment opportunity they desperately need to further the Silk Road Economic Belt and 21st Century Maritime Silk Road initiatives.