CAIRO, EGYPT / RankWire.AI / – Chinese President Xi Jinping has arrived in Cairo on an official visit as Egypt and China commemorate seven decades of diplomatic relations. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi greeted Xi at Cairo International Airport on Tuesday. The reception was also attended by First Lady Entissar El-Sisi and Xi’s wife, Peng Liyuan. This visit marks Xi’s first trip to Egypt in a decade. It occurs at a time when both nations are reassessing a bilateral relationship that encompasses political, economic, and development cooperation initiatives.
According to the Egyptian Presidency, the visit aims to foster discussions on enhancing bilateral ties across multiple sectors. The agenda also emphasizes the longstanding Comprehensive Strategic Partnership established in 2014 between Egypt and China. Both countries plan to hold consultations on regional and international issues of mutual concern. Since the inception of this partnership, El-Sisi and Xi have maintained consistent high-level communication. Additionally, Egypt has increased its involvement in China-driven economic programs, including projects related to infrastructure, manufacturing, and transportation sectors.
The visit also coincides with the 70th anniversary of formal diplomatic relations between Egypt and China. Diplomatic ties were first established in 1956, making Egypt the first Arab and African nation to recognize the People’s Republic of China. El-Sisi highlighted this milestone in statements issued prior to Xi’s arrival, while Xi himself addressed the significance of the anniversary ahead of the visit. Both leaders pointed to seven decades of bilateral cooperation and the growth of relations since the foundation of their comprehensive strategic partnership.
Celebrating Seven Decades of Diplomatic Engagement
Economic ties constitute a significant aspect of the partnership. The Egyptian State Information Service reported that bilateral trade volume reached approximately $20.78 billion in 2025, compared to roughly $17.37 billion in 2024, representing a rise of about 19.6%. China currently stands as Egypt’s primary trading partner for non-oil goods. During the first half of 2026, Egyptian exports to China totaled $840.8 million, while imports from China amounted to around $10.4 billion.
Total trade between the two countries during the first half of 2026 was about $11.3 billion, up from roughly $9.3 billion in the previous year. Egypt exports a variety of products to China, including fuels, mineral oils, vegetables, fruit, cotton, and phosphates. Chinese investment and contracting efforts are also visible across major Egyptian projects, such as developments within the Suez Canal Economic Zone, the New Administrative Capital, and electric transport infrastructure serving areas east of Cairo.
Economic and Developmental Collaboration
The Egyptian State Information Service indicated that Chinese investment has supported projects within industrial zones and the Suez Canal Economic Zone. Chinese firms have also contributed to construction and transportation initiatives. The scope of cooperation has expanded into renewable energy, telecommunications, technology, and manufacturing sectors. Egypt and China have identified electric vehicles, energy storage batteries, electronic devices, and desalination components as key areas for industrial collaboration. Additionally, artificial intelligence and space sciences are included within the broader framework of bilateral technological cooperation.
The Egyptian Presidency stated that El-Sisi and Xi intend to utilize this visit to review the progress of their comprehensive strategic partnership. Their dialogue will also encompass political and developmental cooperation alongside economic relations. Xi’s return to Cairo follows his previous visit in 2016. This latest trip emphasizes the 70-year diplomatic history as a core topic of discussion, with both governments examining ongoing projects, bilateral trade figures, and expanding cooperation in various sectors.