- Chinese President Xi Jinping has made his first visit to Egypt in a decade, arriving in Cairo on Tuesday evening with First Lady Peng Liyuan, where they were received by President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and First Lady Entissar Amer.
- On Wednesday, Xi is set to hold talks with Sisi, where they are expected to sign economic agreements and discuss regional issues amid looming US sanctions over financial links to Iran.
- China and Egypt established diplomatic ties 70 years ago, and since then, Egypt's President Sisi has made eight visits to China since taking office in 2014.
- In August, Egypt and China held joint air exercises featuring the J-16 fighter jet, showcasing their military cooperation.
Chinese President Xi Jinping made his first visit to Egypt in a decade, meeting with President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to strengthen bilateral relations amid regional instability and looming US sanctions over Iran. The visit coincides with the 70th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two nations.12
Xi arrived in Cairo on Tuesday evening, where he was welcomed by Sisi and First Lady Entissar Amer. The two-day summit aims to sign economic agreements and discuss regional issues, including the ongoing tensions in Gaza and the US-Israel conflict with Iran.
Sisi emphasized Egypt's independent foreign policy in an op-ed, highlighting the need for Cairo to maintain its strategic autonomy while balancing relations with both Washington and Beijing. “The visit will also include consultations on a number of regional and international issues of mutual interest,” said presidential spokesman Ambassador Mohamed el-Shennawy.
Trade relations are robust, with China being Egypt's largest trading partner in non-petroleum goods, reaching nearly $20.7 billion by 2025. Chinese investments in Egypt, particularly in the Suez Canal area, exceed $3.8 billion.
Xi noted, “For seven decades, the China-Egypt relationship has braved wind and rain, and withstood the test of the changing international landscape.” Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the Palestinian cause and achieving regional stability.
“The two-day visit is expected to yield a slate of economic agreements, including in AI, transport, and energy, as China seeks to shore up ties with US-friendly nations ahead of a potential Xi-Trump meeting. Egypt, a top US military aid recipient, aims to underscore its strategic autonomy by leveraging ties with both Washington and Beijing.”
