Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Cairo on Tuesday and was received by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. This is Xi's first visit to Egypt since 2016, coinciding with the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. President el-Sisi, who has visited China eight times since taking office in 2014, hosted the talks.
Egyptian presidential spokesman Ambassador Mohamed el-Shennawy said Xi's visit aims to strengthen bilateral ties and follow up on the implementation of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement signed in 2014. He also noted that the visit would include consultations on several regional and international issues of shared interest.
Earlier, China's Foreign Ministry described relations with Egypt as being at their best in history and said Xi's visit would chart the course for future bilateral ties.
Robust Trade Relations
Trade between the two nations is notably strong. China is Egypt's largest trading partner in non-oil goods, with bilateral trade reaching nearly USD 20.7 billion by the end of 2025, according to Egypt's State Information Service (SIS).
Data from Egypt's Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS) shows Egyptian exports to China surged nearly 200% to USD 840.8 million in the first half of 2026, while imports reached USD 10.4 billion.
Chinese investment in Egypt is concentrated mainly around the Suez Canal, a vital artery for trade between China and Europe. The TEDA China-Egypt cooperation zone in Ain Sokhna, part of Beijing's Belt and Road Initiative, now hosts around 200 companies with total investment exceeding USD 3.8 billion, according to state media.
In an article published in Al-Ahram on Monday, President el-Sisi wrote that steps are being taken to strengthen these ties. He stressed that the comprehensive strategic partnership had created a breakthrough in bilateral relations, with China becoming a major trade and economic partner of Egypt, and Chinese direct investment increasing, including in the Suez Canal Economic Zone.
Referencing tensions between Egypt and Ethiopia over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) and its impact on Cairo's Nile water supply, el-Sisi expressed appreciation for Beijing's solidarity on the matter. He wrote: "Egypt values China's stance, which affirms the vital importance of the Nile to Egypt as its main lifeline, while underscoring the need to avoid unilateral actions and enhance good-faith cooperation for the common good."
Regional Strategic Alignment
The summit takes place amid severe regional instability, driven by the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the six-month U.S.-Israel war with Iran.
In his article, Xi Jinping said China and Egypt share a vision for global stability and emphasized the resilience of their historic ties. He wrote: "Over seven decades, China-Egypt relations have weathered the storms and tests of a changing international landscape. Both sides have steadfastly supported the just cause of the Palestinian people to restore their legitimate national rights, committed to promoting political settlement of hotspots and achieving peace and stability in the region."
He also mentioned the joint Egypt-China air exercise named "Eagle of Civilization," which began on August 22 in Egypt, demonstrating the Chinese Air Force's capability to operate far from its borders.
