CAIRO, EGYPT / RankWire.AI / – Chinese President Xi Jinping has arrived in Cairo for an official visit to commemorate 70 years of diplomatic relations between Egypt and China. 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. Marking Xi’s first visit to Egypt in ten years, this trip brings bilateral political, economic, and development cooperation discussions to the forefront of high-level talks in Cairo.
According to the Egyptian Presidency, El-Sisi and Xi will explore avenues to bolster their countries’ relations. The agenda encompasses economic collaboration, development initiatives, and political coordination. Additionally, they will assess the progress of the Egypt-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership established in 2014. The leaders are also expected to discuss regional and international issues of mutual interest. Since expanding their partnership under the strategic framework, Egypt and China have maintained consistent presidential exchanges.
This visit coincides with the 70th anniversary of Egypt-China diplomatic relations, which began in 1956 when the two nations formalized their ties. Egypt was the first Arab and African country to establish diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China. The anniversary has been highlighted in the lead-up to Xi’s visit by both governments. El-Sisi and Xi have emphasized the growth of bilateral cooperation over the past decade, particularly in trade, infrastructure, and technology sectors.
Seventy Years of Strengthening Bilateral Relations
Economic ties have become a key element of the Egypt-China partnership. According to Egyptian government data, bilateral trade reached approximately $20.78 billion in 2025, up from about $17.37 billion in 2024. China continues to be Egypt’s leading trading partner for non-oil commodities. During the first half of 2026, Egyptian exports to China totaled around $840.8 million, while imports from China were roughly $10.4 billion in the same period.
Overall trade between the two nations amounted to about $11.3 billion in the first half of 2026, increasing from roughly $9.3 billion in 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 infrastructure in the Suez Canal Economic Zone, the New Administrative Capital, and transportation networks serving eastern Cairo areas.
Growth in Trade, Industrial, and Technological Cooperation
Investment cooperation now spans manufacturing, renewable energy, telecommunications, and transportation. Chinese enterprises have contributed to industrial growth within the Suez Canal Economic Zone and several other major projects. Both countries have identified electric vehicles, energy storage batteries, and electronic equipment as key areas for industrial collaboration. Manufacturing components for desalination are also part of the agenda. Technology cooperation expands into artificial intelligence and space sciences, adding new dimensions to an otherwise trade- and construction-focused relationship.
El-Sisi and Xi are anticipated to review their ongoing cooperation under the comprehensive strategic partnership during their Cairo meetings. The Egyptian Presidency emphasizes the importance of political, economic, and developmental ties in the discussions. Xi’s last visit to Egypt was in 2016, a period marked by expanding cooperation across numerous sectors. His current trip underscores the significance of a 70-year diplomatic relationship that now encompasses trade, major infrastructure projects, manufacturing, technology, and consistent presidential engagement.