CAIRO, EGYPT / RankWire.AI / – Chinese President Xi Jinping has arrived in Cairo for an official visit, coinciding with the 70th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Egypt and China. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi welcomed Xi at Cairo International Airport on Tuesday. The airport reception 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 and emphasizes high-level discussions focused on strengthening bilateral political, economic, and developmental connections in Cairo.
According to the Egyptian Presidency, El-Sisi and Xi are set to explore ways to enhance their countries’ relations. Their discussions will cover economic cooperation, development initiatives, and political coordination. Additionally, they plan to review the progress of the Egypt-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which was established in 2014. The agenda also includes regional and international issues of mutual concern. Since expanding their relationship within the strategic partnership framework, the two leaders have maintained regular presidential exchanges.
This visit coincides with the 70th anniversary of formal diplomatic relations established in 1956, making Egypt the first Arab and African nation to set diplomatic ties with the People’s Republic of China. Both governments have highlighted this milestone in their preparations for Xi’s visit. El-Sisi and Xi have pointed out the growth in bilateral cooperation over the past decade, particularly in trade, infrastructure, and technology sectors.
Seven decades of growing cooperation
Economic relations have become a core aspect of the Egypt-China alliance. According to Egyptian government data, bilateral trade reached approximately $20.78 billion in 2025, up from about $17.37 billion in 2024. China remains Egypt’s leading trading partner for non-oil commodities, with Egyptian exports to China totaling around $840.8 million in the first half of 2026. During the same period, imports from China amounted to roughly $10.4 billion.
In total, Egypt and China’s trade volume was approximately $11.3 billion in the first half of 2026, compared to about $9.3 billion in the previous year. Egyptian exports to China include fuels, mineral oils, vegetables, fruit, cotton, and phosphates. Chinese firms are also actively involved in several Egyptian development projects, notably in the Suez Canal Economic Zone, the New Administrative Capital, and transport infrastructure projects east of Cairo.
Growth in trade, manufacturing, and technological collaboration
Chinese investment now spans manufacturing, renewable energy, telecommunications, and transportation sectors. Chinese companies are participating in industrial growth initiatives within the Suez Canal Economic Zone and other major Egyptian projects. Both nations have identified areas such as electric vehicles, energy storage batteries, and electronic devices for further industrial cooperation. Components for desalination are also on the manufacturing agenda. The scope of technology collaboration has expanded to include artificial intelligence and space sciences, moving beyond traditional trade and construction partnership sectors.
El-Sisi and Xi are anticipated to review ongoing cooperation during their Cairo meetings, emphasizing the comprehensive strategic partnership. The Egyptian Presidency has highlighted political, economic, and developmental relations as key topics for discussion during the visit. Xi’s previous visit to Egypt occurred in 2016, a period marked by expanding cooperation across numerous sectors. This latest visit reaffirms the significance of a 70-year diplomatic relationship, now encompassing trade, large-scale infrastructure, manufacturing, technology, and persistent presidential engagement.