Xi and El-Sisi Mark 70 Years of China-Egypt Diplomatic Ties
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi exchanged congratulatory messages on May 30, 2026, marking the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. The milestone commemorates Egypt’s historic role as the first Arab and African nation to establish official ties with the People’s Republic of China on May 30, 1956. Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly also exchanged congratulations on the same day, as reported by People’s Daily.
A Historic Partnership
In his message, President Xi highlighted the enduring nature of the bilateral relationship, noting that over the past seven decades, regardless of changes in the international and regional landscape, the two countries have consistently respected each other, treated each other as equals, and supported one another in times of need. Xi described China-Egypt relations as “a model of amity, solidarity and cooperation among developing countries” and “a benchmark for collective cooperation between China and Arab states and between China and Africa.”
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the PRC, Xi emphasized that both nations, as ancient civilizations and important members of the Global South, should draw wisdom from history to pursue peace, development, and cooperation while upholding justice.
President El-Sisi, in his response, affirmed that Egypt and China have stood shoulder to shoulder through various historical periods. He expressed appreciation for the achievements in bilateral relations and voiced hope for continued progress, calling for the joint construction of “a more stable multipolar world with greater capacity to address global challenges.”
Deepening Economic and Strategic Ties
The exchange of messages comes at a time when China-Egypt relations have reached unprecedented depth. China is currently Egypt’s largest trading partner and one of its most active investors, with major projects spanning infrastructure, renewable energy, and technology. Key Chinese-backed initiatives in Egypt include development in the New Administrative Capital, the light rail transit project, and investments in the Suez Canal Economic Zone.
Premier Li Qiang, in his message to Prime Minister Madbouly, reiterated China’s commitment to accelerating high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and enhancing exchanges across various fields. Madbouly noted that bilateral cooperation has achieved “unprecedented results” over the past 70 years and expressed Egypt’s desire to strengthen collaboration in economic, scientific, and technological fields, as reported by Global Times.
A Broader Geopolitical Context
The anniversary arrives during a significant year for China’s engagement with the Arab world and Africa. The 2nd China-Arab Summit is scheduled to be held in China in 2026, building on momentum from the 2024 FOCAC Beijing Summit, where over 90% of agreed outcomes have been achieved or progressed. In 2025, China-Africa trade surpassed $300 billion for the first time, a 17.8% year-on-year increase, signaling deepening economic integration.
People-to-people exchanges have also flourished. In 2025, 360,000 Chinese tourists visited Egypt, and Chinese language has been integrated into Egypt’s national education system. Both nations coordinate closely within multilateral frameworks including BRICS, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and the China-Arab Cooperation Forum.
Analysis: A Model of South-South Cooperation
The 70th anniversary serves to reinforce the China-Egypt axis as a cornerstone of China’s Middle East and Africa policy. Both nations position themselves as leading voices of the Global South, advocating for a multipolar world order that offers an alternative to Western-dominated international institutions. The relationship demonstrates the maturity of the Belt and Road Initiative in a strategically vital region.
According to the Egyptian Gazette, the anniversary also reflects the long-standing historical and cultural links between the Egyptian and Chinese peoples, whose civilizations date back thousands of years.
What to Watch For
Looking ahead, the 2nd China-Arab Summit later this year is expected to further elevate China-Egypt and China-Arab relations. Key areas to monitor include new infrastructure and investment agreements, Egypt’s role in the Belt and Road Initiative’s next phase, and how the evolving US-China competition may affect Egypt’s strategic balancing act between major powers.
As both leaders emphasized in their exchange, the foundation of mutual respect and shared development goals positions China and Egypt to continue their partnership well into the next decade and beyond.