Egypt and China Forge Strategic Alliance on Nile Waters, Gaza, and Taiwan During Xi Jinping's Cairo Visit

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi and visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping expressed complete unanimity on major regional and international issues during talks in Cairo on Wednesday, marking the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations.

The leaders sealed a broad package of economic, industrial, and diplomatic agreements, signing five formal deals and over 20 additional co-operation documents spanning the digital economy, semiconductors, shipbuilding, and the Suez Canal Economic Zone.

Marking the occasion of Mr Xi's state visit, Mr El Sisi welcomed the Chinese leader at the Ittihadiya Presidential Palace with a full state ceremony, featuring a mounted honour guard, a 21-gun salute, and national anthems, followed by extended delegation talks and an official lunch.

In a joint statement, Cairo and Beijing addressed the Palestinian cause, calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, unrestricted humanitarian aid, the return of the Palestinian Authority to the strip, and support for UNRWA while rejecting the displacement of Palestinians and condemning Israeli escalation in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

Significantly for Egypt, China formally recognised the Nile's vital importance as Egypt's main lifeline and supported Cairo's right to protect its water and food security, echoing legal arguments concerning the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam. Both leaders also emphasized Sudan's territorial integrity and called for an end to the conflict there.

In return, Egypt reaffirmed its commitment to the one-China principle, recognizing Taiwan as an inseparable part of the People’s Republic of China and supporting Beijing's sovereignty and reunification efforts.

The formal agreements aligned Egypt's Vision 2030 development plan with China's Belt and Road Initiative, alongside deals on economic co-operation, industrial supply chains, information technology, and Suez Canal development. Additional documents covered electric vehicles, renewable energy, seawater desalination, artificial intelligence, tourism, and higher education exchanges.