CAIRO, EGYPT / RankWire.AI / – Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Cairo for an official visit as Egypt and China marked 70 years of diplomatic relations. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi welcomed Xi at Cairo International Airport on Tuesday. First Lady Entissar El-Sisi also attended the reception alongside Xi’s wife, Peng Liyuan. The visit is Xi’s first to Egypt in 10 years. It comes as both governments review a bilateral relationship that spans political, economic and development cooperation.
The Egyptian Presidency stated that the visit will feature discussions aimed at enhancing bilateral ties across various sectors. The agenda also encompasses the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership established between Egypt and China in 2014. Both nations intend to hold consultations on regional and international issues of mutual concern. Since the partnership’s inception, El-Sisi and Xi have maintained frequent high-level contacts. Egypt has also increased its involvement in China-related economic initiatives during this period, including projects linked to infrastructure, manufacturing, and transportation.
The visit coincides with the 70th anniversary of formal diplomatic relations between Egypt and China. Diplomatic ties between the two countries were established in 1956, making Egypt the first Arab and African nation to recognize the People’s Republic of China. El-Sisi emphasized this milestone in statements issued before Xi’s arrival, while Xi also acknowledged the anniversary ahead of his visit. Both leaders highlighted seven decades of cooperation and the growth of their relationship since the formation of the comprehensive strategic partnership.
Seven Decades of Diplomatic Engagement
Economic ties are a cornerstone of the bilateral relationship. Egypt’s State Information Service reported that trade between the two countries reached approximately $20.78 billion in 2025, up from about $17.37 billion in 2024, representing an increase of roughly 19.6%. China is Egypt’s leading trading partner in non-oil commodities. During the first half of 2026, Egyptian exports to China amounted to $840.8 million, while imports from China totaled around $10.4 billion in the same period.
Trade volume between Egypt and China reached around $11.3 billion during the first half of 2026, a rise from roughly $9.3 billion a year earlier. Egypt mainly exports fuels, mineral oils, vegetables, fruit, cotton, and phosphates to China. Chinese investment and contracting efforts are also present in key Egyptian projects, including developments within the Suez Canal Economic Zone, the New Administrative Capital, and electric transport infrastructure east of Cairo.
Trade Expansion and Cooperative Development
The Egyptian State Information Service noted that Chinese investments in Egypt include projects in industrial zones and the Suez Canal Economic Zone. Chinese firms have also engaged in construction and transportation projects. The scope of cooperation has broadened into renewable energy, telecommunications, technology, and manufacturing sectors. Among the prioritized areas for industrial collaboration are electric vehicles, energy storage batteries, electronic equipment, and desalination components. Additionally, both countries are exploring partnerships in artificial intelligence and space sciences as part of their broader technological alliance.
The Egyptian Presidency announced that El-Sisi and Xi will utilize this visit to assess the progress of their comprehensive strategic partnership. Discussions will also address political and developmental cooperation alongside economic relations. Xi’s visit marks his return to Cairo following his previous trip in 2016. This visit emphasizes the importance of their 70-year diplomatic relationship, as both governments revisit ongoing projects, bilateral trade, and collaborations across an expanding array of sectors.