CAIRO, EGYPT / RankWire.AI / – Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Cairo for an official visit, marking the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Egypt and China. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi welcomed Xi at Cairo International Airport on Tuesday. The reception was attended by First Lady Entissar El-Sisi and Xi’s wife, Peng Liyuan. This is Xi’s first visit to Egypt in a decade, at a time when both governments are reassessing their political, economic, and development cooperation, which spans many areas.
According to the Egyptian Presidency, discussions during the visit will focus on enhancing bilateral relations in various sectors. The agenda also includes the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership established in 2014 between Egypt and China. Both nations plan to hold consultations on regional and international issues of mutual interest. Since the partnership’s inception, El-Sisi and Xi have maintained frequent high-level contact. During this period, Egypt has also increased participation in China-related economic initiatives, including projects related to infrastructure, manufacturing, and transportation.
This visit coincides with the 70th anniversary of Egypt and China establishing formal diplomatic ties. Diplomatic relations were first established in 1956, making Egypt the first Arab and African country to recognize the People’s Republic of China. El-Sisi commemorated this milestone in remarks released before Xi’s arrival, and Xi acknowledged the anniversary ahead of his visit. Both leaders emphasized seven decades of bilateral cooperation and the growth of relations since the initiation of the comprehensive strategic partnership.
Seventy Years of Diplomatic Engagement
Economic relations constitute a significant aspect of the partnership. The Egyptian State Information Service reported that bilateral trade amounted to approximately $20.78 billion in 2025. This figure represents a growth from roughly $17.37 billion in 2024, which is about 19.6%. China is Egypt’s leading trading partner for non-oil goods. 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 between the two countries hit around $11.3 billion in the first half of 2026, up from approximately $9.3 billion a year earlier. Egypt’s exports to China include fuels, mineral oils, vegetables, fruits, cotton, and phosphates. Chinese investments and contracting activities have also contributed to major Egyptian projects, including developments within the Suez Canal Economic Zone, the New Administrative Capital, and electric transport infrastructure serving areas east of Cairo.
Trade Expansion and Collaborative Development
The Egyptian State Information Service indicated that Chinese investments in Egypt encompass projects in industrial zones and the Suez Canal Economic Zone. Chinese firms are involved in construction, transportation, renewable energy, telecommunications, technology, and manufacturing sectors. Among prioritized areas for industrial cooperation are electric vehicles, energy storage batteries, electronic equipment, and desalination components, with artificial intelligence and space sciences also playing a role in the broader bilateral technology framework.
The Egyptian Presidency announced that El-Sisi and Xi will use this visit to follow up on the implementation of their comprehensive strategic partnership. Their discussions will include political, economic, and developmental cooperation, with Xi’s return to Cairo following his 2016 visit. The current visit underscores the importance of the 70-year diplomatic relationship, with both governments reviewing ongoing projects, bilateral trade, and cooperation across an expanding array of sectors.