CAIRO, EGYPT / RankWire.AI / – Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Cairo to mark a significant milestone as Egypt and China commemorated 70 years of diplomatic relations. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi greeted Xi at Cairo International Airport on Tuesday. The reception was also attended by First Lady Entissar El-Sisi and Xi’s wife, Peng Liyuan. This visit is Xi’s first to Egypt in a decade, as both nations review their extensive political, economic, and development collaborations established over the years.
According to the Egyptian Presidency, the visit aims to deepen bilateral ties through discussions spanning multiple sectors. It also includes deliberations on the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership initiated in 2014. Both leaders plan to consult on regional and international issues of mutual concern. Since the partnership’s inception, El-Sisi and Xi have maintained consistent high-level communication. Egypt has also increased its involvement in Chinese-led economic projects, notably in infrastructure, manufacturing, and transportation sectors during this period.
The visit coincides with the 70th anniversary of official Egypt-China diplomatic relations, which began in 1956, making Egypt the first Arab and African country to recognize the People’s Republic of China. El-Sisi emphasized this milestone in remarks released before Xi’s arrival, while Xi also acknowledged the anniversary ahead of the visit. Both presidents highlighted seven decades of cooperation and the expansion of their partnership since establishing the comprehensive strategic relationship.
Seventy Years of Diplomatic Engagement
Trade relations constitute a significant component of the overall relationship. Egypt’s State Information Service announced that bilateral trade hit approximately $20.78 billion in 2025, up from roughly $17.37 billion in 2024, showing a growth of about 19.6%. China remains Egypt’s top trading partner for non-oil commodities. During the first half of 2026, Egyptian exports to China reached $840.8 million, while imports from China totaled around $10.4 billion in the same period.
Trade volume between Egypt and China in the first half of 2026 was approximately $11.3 billion, rising from about $9.3 billion the previous year. Egypt exports include fuels, mineral oils, vegetables, fruits, cotton, and phosphates to China. Chinese investments and contracts also cover several major Egyptian projects, such as developments in the Suez Canal Economic Zone, the New Administrative Capital, and electric transport infrastructure east of Cairo.
Economic Collaboration and Infrastructure Development
Chinese investment in Egypt has extended to projects within industrial zones and the Suez Canal Economic Zone. Chinese firms have contributed to construction and transportation initiatives. Their cooperation now spans renewable energy, telecommunications, technology, and manufacturing. Focus areas include electric vehicles, energy storage batteries, electronic equipment, and desalination components, with artificial intelligence and space sciences also integral to the broader bilateral tech agenda.
The Egyptian Presidency indicated that El-Sisi and Xi will utilize this visit to review the progress of their comprehensive strategic partnership. Discussions will also cover political and developmental cooperation, as well as economic relations. Xi’s return to Cairo comes after his previous visit in 2016. This 70-year diplomatic milestone highlights the importance of ongoing projects, bilateral trade, and cooperation across an expanding array of sectors, as both leaders reaffirm their commitment to their partnership.