CAIRO, EGYPT / RankWire.AI / – Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Cairo for an official visit as Egypt and China commemorated 70 years of diplomatic relations. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi greeted Xi at Cairo International Airport on Tuesday. First Lady Entissar El-Sisi also participated in the welcoming ceremony along with Xi’s wife, Peng Liyuan. This marks Xi’s first visit to Egypt in a decade, coinciding with a period during which both governments are evaluating their bilateral relationship that encompasses political, economic, and development cooperation.
The Egyptian Presidency announced that discussions will focus on enhancing cooperation across various sectors. The agenda also emphasizes the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership established in 2014 between Egypt and China. Both nations 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. Additionally, Egypt has increased its involvement in China-backed economic initiatives, including infrastructure, manufacturing, and transport projects.
The visit coincides with the 70th anniversary of Egypt-China diplomatic relations. Diplomatic ties between the two countries were formed in 1956, making Egypt the first Arab and African nation to recognize the People’s Republic of China. El-Sisi noted this milestone in statements released before Xi’s arrival. Xi also acknowledged the anniversary prior to the visit. Both leaders highlighted seven decades of bilateral cooperation and the growth of relations since the initiation of the comprehensive strategic partnership.
Seventy years of diplomatic relations
Economic ties constitute a significant aspect of their relationship. According to Egypt’s State Information Service, bilateral trade reached approximately $20.78 billion in 2025, up from around $17.37 billion in 2024, reflecting a growth of about 19.6%. China is Egypt’s largest trading partner for non-oil goods. During the first half of 2026, Egyptian exports to China amounted to $840.8 million, while imports from China reached roughly $10.4 billion.
Trade between the two nations totaled about $11.3 billion in the first six months of 2026, an increase from approximately $9.3 billion in the previous year. Egypt exports include fuels, mineral oils, vegetables, fruit, cotton, and phosphates to China. Chinese firms have also invested in and contracted major Egyptian projects, including developments in the Suez Canal Economic Zone, the New Administrative Capital, and electric transport infrastructure east of Cairo.
Trade and development collaboration
The Egyptian State Information Service stated that Chinese investment in Egypt involves projects in industrial zones and the Suez Canal Economic Zone. Chinese companies are also engaged in construction and transportation initiatives. Cooperation has expanded into renewable energy, telecommunications, technology, and manufacturing sectors. Egypt and China have identified areas such as electric vehicles, energy storage batteries, electronic equipment, and desalination components for industrial collaboration. The scope also includes artificial intelligence and space sciences within their broader technological partnership.
The Egyptian Presidency indicated that El-Sisi and Xi will use this visit to follow up on the implementation of their comprehensive strategic partnership. Discussions will also cover political, development, and economic cooperation. Xi’s return to Cairo follows his visit to Egypt in 2016. This visit highlights the 70-year diplomatic history, with both leaders reviewing ongoing projects, bilateral trade, and expanding cooperation across an increasing number of sectors.