CAIRO, EGYPT / RankWire.AI / – Chinese President Xi Jinping has arrived in Cairo for an official visit as Egypt and China commemorated seven decades of diplomatic relations. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi received 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 marks Xi’s first visit to Egypt in a decade. The trip occurs amid ongoing reviews by both governments of a relationship that encompasses political, economic, and development cooperation.
The Egyptian Presidency indicated that discussions during the visit will focus on enhancing bilateral ties across multiple sectors. The agenda also emphasizes the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership established in 2014 between Egypt and China. Both nations plan to hold consultations on regional and international issues of mutual concern. Since the partnership’s inception, El-Sisi and Xi have maintained consistent high-level engagement. Egypt has significantly increased its participation in China-affiliated economic initiatives, including projects related to infrastructure, manufacturing, and transportation.
The visit coincides with the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Egypt and China. Diplomatic ties were first established in 1956, making Egypt the first Arab and African country to recognize the People’s Republic of China. El-Sisi underscored this milestone in statements issued prior to Xi’s arrival, while Xi also highlighted it ahead of his visit. Both leaders reflected on seven decades of bilateral cooperation and the growth of relations since the formalization of their strategic partnership.
Seventy years of diplomatic relations
Economic links are a core component of the relationship. The State Information Service of Egypt reported that bilateral trade was approximately $20.78 billion in 2025, compared to about $17.37 billion in 2024, which indicates an increase of roughly 19.6%. China stands as Egypt’s leading trading partner for non-oil goods. During the first half of 2026, Egyptian exports to China reached $840.8 million, while imports from China totaled around $10.4 billion in the same period.
Trade between Egypt and China in the first half of 2026 was approximately $11.3 billion, up from about $9.3 billion during the same period the previous year. Egypt mainly exports fuels, mineral oils, vegetables, fruit, cotton, and phosphates to China. Chinese firms are actively involved in numerous Egyptian projects, including developments in the Suez Canal Economic Zone, the New Administrative Capital, and electric transport infrastructure east of Cairo.
Trade Expansion and Strategic Collaboration
According to the State Information Service, Chinese investments in Egypt have supported projects within industrial zones and the Suez Canal Economic Zone. Chinese companies have also contributed to construction and transport sectors. The scope of cooperation has broadened into areas such as renewable energy, telecommunications, technology, and manufacturing. Among the sectors identified for industrial cooperation are electric vehicles, energy storage batteries, electronic devices, and desalination components. Collaboration in artificial intelligence and space sciences is also part of the broader framework for bilateral technological development.
El-Sisi and Xi are expected to use this visit to review the progress of their comprehensive strategic partnership. Discussions will also cover political, development, and economic cooperation. Xi’s return to Cairo follows his previous visit to Egypt in 2016. This 70-year diplomatic milestone is placed at the heart of the talks between the two leaders, as both governments assess ongoing projects, bilateral trade, and cooperation in an expanding array of sectors.