Xi Jinping To Visit Egypt As China And Egypt Deepen Strategic Ties

Chinese President Xi Jinping is set to visit Egypt, his first state visit to the country in 10 years. He is expected to meet President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to strengthen cooperation in trade, investment, defence and other areas, while also discussing regional and international issues. The visit comes as China and Egypt mark 70 years of diplomatic relations. Bilateral trade reached about $19.52 billion in 2025, while defence cooperation has expanded through joint military exercises.

Chinese President Xi Jinping is set to travel to Egypt in the coming days, marking his first state visit to the country in a decade as Beijing and Cairo seek to strengthen their strategic partnership.
Xi is expected to meet Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi for talks covering economic cooperation, defence and other areas of mutual interest. The leaders are also expected to discuss international and regional developments.

VISIT MARKS 70 YEARS OF DIPLOMATIC TIES

Xi's visit comes as China and Egypt mark 70 years of diplomatic relations, established in May 1956.
The relationship was upgraded to a comprehensive strategic partnership during Sisi's first official visit to China in December 2014.
Since then, both countries have expanded cooperation in areas ranging from trade and infrastructure to defence and investment.

TRADE AND ECONOMIC COOPERATION GROW

Economic ties have become an important part of the relationship.
Egyptian companies signed 17 export contracts worth about $168 million with Chinese buyers last month, covering agricultural products, textiles, minerals and engineering goods.
Egypt's Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade said bilateral trade reached approximately $19.52 billion in 2025, making China one of Egypt's largest trading partners.
The two countries are expected to explore further opportunities for investment and trade during Xi's visit.

DEFENCE COOPERATION ALSO EXPANDS

Security and defence cooperation have also grown in recent years.
Earlier this month, Egypt and China held a joint air exercise known as Eagles of Civilization 2026 at Egyptian air bases.
The exercise highlighted the expanding military relationship between the two countries and is likely to form part of the broader discussions surrounding their strategic partnership.

REGIONAL ISSUES ON THE AGENDA

Beyond bilateral relations, Xi and Sisi are expected to exchange views on regional and international issues.
Egypt's strategic position in the Middle East and North Africa, combined with China's growing economic and diplomatic presence in the region, has made relations between Beijing and Cairo increasingly important.
The visit could therefore provide an opportunity for both governments to coordinate their positions on major regional developments while seeking to strengthen long-term cooperation.

A DEEPENING PARTNERSHIP

Xi's return to Egypt after 10 years underscores the importance Beijing places on its relationship with Cairo.
For Egypt, stronger ties with China offer opportunities for investment, expanded exports and access to one of the world's largest markets.
For China, Egypt provides an important economic and strategic partner in the Middle East and Africa.
The upcoming talks are therefore expected to focus not only on existing cooperation but also on how both countries can further expand their partnership in the years ahead.