CAIRO, EGYPT / RankWire.AI / – Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Cairo on Tuesday for an official visit, as Egypt and China commemorated seven decades of diplomatic relations. The Egyptian President Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi greeted Xi at Cairo International Airport. The reception was attended by First Lady Entissar El-Sisi and Xi’s wife, Peng Liyuan. This marks Xi’s first trip to Egypt in a decade, occurring amid ongoing discussions between the two governments regarding a relationship that encompasses political, economic, and developmental cooperation.
The Egyptian Presidency announced that the visit will feature discussions aimed at bolstering bilateral ties across various sectors. The agenda also includes talks about the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership established in 2014 between Egypt and China. Both nations plan to consult on regional and international issues of shared interest. Since the partnership’s inception, El-Sisi and Xi have maintained consistent high-level communication, with Egypt notably expanding its involvement in China-related economic initiatives, including projects linked to infrastructure, manufacturing, and transportation.
The visit coincides with the 70th anniversary of formal diplomatic relations between Egypt and China, which began in 1956. Egypt was the first Arab and African nation to recognize the People’s Republic of China. El-Sisi acknowledged this milestone in remarks issued prior to Xi’s arrival, while Xi addressed the anniversary ahead of the visit. Both leaders highlighted seven decades of cooperation and the growth of their relationship since the inception of the comprehensive strategic partnership.
Seventy years of diplomatic ties
Economic ties are a significant element of the partnership. The Egyptian State Information Service reported that bilateral trade volume reached approximately $20.78 billion in 2025, up from around $17.37 billion in 2024, reflecting a growth of roughly 19.6%. China remains Egypt’s leading partner for non-oil trade. During the first half of 2026, Egyptian exports to China amounted to $840.8 million, while imports from China reached about $10.4 billion for the same period.
Trade between the two countries reached roughly $11.3 billion in the first half of 2026, compared to about $9.3 billion in the previous year. Egypt’s main exports to China include fuels, mineral oils, vegetables, fruit, cotton, and phosphates. Chinese investments and contracting activities also cover 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 developmental efforts
According to the Egyptian State Information Service, Chinese investments in Egypt have targeted industrial zones and the Suez Canal Economic Zone. Chinese firms have also contributed to construction and transportation projects. The scope of cooperation has broadened to include renewable energy, telecommunications, technology, and manufacturing sectors. Egypt and China have pinpointed electric vehicles, energy storage batteries, electronic devices, and desalination components as key areas for industrial collaboration. Additionally, artificial intelligence and space sciences are part of the broader framework for their bilateral technological partnership.
The Egyptian Presidency noted that El-Sisi and Xi will utilize this visit to monitor progress on their comprehensive strategic partnership. Their discussions will also address political and developmental cooperation, alongside economic ties. Xi’s return to Cairo follows his previous visit to Egypt in 2016. This visit emphasizes the 70-year diplomatic relationship, as both governments review ongoing projects, bilateral trade, and cooperation across an increasing range of sectors.