CAIRO, EGYPT / RankWire.AI / – Chinese President Xi Jinping made a formal visit to Cairo as Egypt and China commemorated 70 years of diplomatic ties. Upon arrival on Tuesday, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi welcomed Xi at Cairo International Airport. The airport ceremony was also attended by First Lady Entissar El-Sisi and Xi’s wife, Peng Liyuan. This marks Xi’s first visit to Egypt in ten years, emphasizing high-level discussions focused on strengthening bilateral political, economic, and developmental relations in Cairo.
According to the Egyptian Presidency, El-Sisi and Xi plan to explore avenues to bolster their nations’ partnership. Their discussions will cover economic collaboration, development initiatives, and political coordination efforts. They will also assess the progress of the Egypt-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, initiated in 2014. Additionally, regional and global issues of mutual concern will be addressed. Since expanding their relationship within the strategic partnership framework, the two leaders have maintained consistent presidential communication.
The visit coincides with the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations, which officially began in 1956 when Egypt became the first Arab and African nation to establish diplomatic ties with the People’s Republic of China. Both governments have highlighted this milestone during preparations for Xi’s visit. Over the past decade, El-Sisi and Xi have pointed to the growth of bilateral cooperation, notably in trade, infrastructure, and technology sectors.
Celebrating Seven Decades of Deepening Bilateral Engagement
Economic ties are now a vital component of the Egypt-China partnership. Egyptian government data show bilateral trade reached approximately $20.78 billion in 2025, up from around $17.37 billion in 2024. China continues to be Egypt’s primary trading partner for non-oil goods, with Egyptian exports to China amounting to about $840.8 million in the first half of 2026. Meanwhile, imports from China during the same period totaled roughly $10.4 billion.
During the first half of 2026, total trade between Egypt and China was approximately $11.3 billion, an increase from about $9.3 billion the previous year. Egypt’s exports to China include fuels, mineral oils, vegetables, fruit, cotton, and phosphates. Chinese firms are actively involved in various Egyptian development projects, including initiatives within the Suez Canal Economic Zone, the New Administrative Capital, and transport infrastructure east of Cairo.
Growing Collaboration in Trade, Industry, and Technology
Investment partnerships now extend to manufacturing, renewable energy, telecommunications, and transportation sectors. Chinese enterprises have played roles in Egypt’s industrial development, particularly within the Suez Canal Economic Zone and other significant projects. Both nations have identified electric vehicles, energy storage batteries, and electronic equipment as key areas for industrial collaboration, alongside components for desalination. Furthermore, technology cooperation encompasses artificial intelligence and space sciences, diversifying the relationship that was once primarily focused on trade and construction.
The Egyptian and Chinese leaders are expected to review ongoing cooperation under the comprehensive strategic partnership during their Cairo meetings. The Egyptian Presidency has prioritized discussions on political, economic, and developmental relations for this visit. Xi’s previous trip to Egypt in 2016 saw expanded cooperation across several sectors, and this latest visit reaffirms the importance of their 70-year diplomatic relationship—covering trade, infrastructure, manufacturing, technology, and consistent presidential engagement.