Chinese President Xi Jinping Arrives in Egypt for Landmark Visit to Strengthen Bilateral Ties and Regional Stability

Chinese President Xi Jinping has made his first visit to Egypt since 2016, marking the 70th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two nations. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi welcomed Xi in Cairo on Tuesday, following a series of diplomatic exchanges since el-Sisi took office in 2014.

According to presidential spokesman Ambassador Mohamed el-Shennawy, the visit is designed to bolster bilateral relations and evaluate the progress of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement signed in 2014. "The visit will also include consultations on a number of regional and international issues of mutual interest," he stated. China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that bilateral ties are at an all-time high and that Xi's trip will help chart the future direction of the relationship.

Economic cooperation remains robust, with China serving as Egypt's leading trading partner for non-petroleum goods. Bilateral trade reached nearly $20.7bn by the end of 2025, according to the State Information Service (SIS). Data from the Central Agency for Public Mobilisation and Statistics (CAPMAS) indicates a significant surge in Egyptian exports to China, hitting $840.8m in the first half of 2026, while imports totaled $10.4bn.

Chinese investments are heavily concentrated around the Suez Canal area. The China-Egypt TEDA cooperation zone in Ain Sokhna, integrated into Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative, currently accommodates approximately 200 companies with total investments surpassing $3.8bn. In an Al-Ahram newspaper article, el-Sisi emphasized ongoing efforts to deepen this partnership, highlighting growth within the Suez Canal Economic Zone.

El-Sisi also addressed tensions concerning the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) and its impact on Cairo's Nile water access, expressing gratitude for Beijing's supportive stance. In a separate article, Xi underscored the shared vision for global stability held by both nations, noting their mutual support for Palestinian rights and regional peace efforts. The leaders also highlighted joint military engagements, such as the Egypt-China Eagles of Civilisation air exercises.