China expects stability in Egypt

China hopes Egypt can maintain political and social stability despite recent violent clashes in the country, a Foreign Ministry spokesman said Monday.

Hong Lei made the remarks at a press briefing when questioned about the nationwide protests in Egypt against the Muslim Brotherhood (MB) and President Mohamed Morsi over a series of controversial presidential decrees.

"We hope Egypt can maintain political and social stability so as to promote the process of political transition in an orderly way, "Hong said.

Egypt has seen a nationwide protest against the MB and President Morsi, who issued a new constitutional declaration on Thursday ruling that all laws, decrees and constitutional declarations issued by the president since he came into office on June 30 are final and unchallengeable by anybody.

Fierce clashes erupted on Sunday between MB members and its opponents outside its office in the Nile Delta city of Damanhour, leaving one MB member dead and 60 others injured, the Freedom and Justice Party, MB's political arm said.

The clashes first broke out on Saturday evening, injuring 26, and restarted on Sunday evening. But after the violent protests, the presidency announced on Sunday that the constitutional declaration issued by Morsi is temporary rather than permanent.