Africa-Press. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed to enhance political and security coordination regarding regional and international issues, alongside expanding the comprehensive strategic partnership between Cairo and Beijing to include economy, energy, transportation, technology, security, and trade.
This agreement came during a state visit by Xi Jinping to Egypt on September 1-2, 2026, at the invitation of el-Sisi, coinciding with the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Egypt was the first Arab and African country to establish diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China in 1956.
Coordination on Regional Crises
Developments in the Middle East and African issues occupied a significant part of the Egyptian-Chinese discussions, at a time when the region is experiencing the repercussions of the American war on Iran, disruptions in shipping, and changes in regional security arrangements.
The two presidents reaffirmed their countries’ commitment to the principles of the United Nations Charter and international law, rejected unilateral actions and double standards, and called for reforming the international system and financial institutions to provide greater representation for developing countries.
They also agreed to continue coordination in the United Nations, BRICS, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and the G20, in addition to cooperating on climate change, food security, energy, and the digital economy. Egypt expressed its support for China’s upcoming presidency of BRICS in 2027.
In this context, Xi called on Middle Eastern countries to uphold the right of their peoples to determine their own affairs and reject foreign intervention, emphasizing China’s readiness to cooperate with regional countries to protect international shipping routes and support dialogue and diplomatic solutions.
These positions come as China seeks to enhance its presence in the Middle East, while Cairo emphasizes its policy of “strategic balance” and diversifying its international partnerships, while maintaining its close security and military relations with the United States.
Gaza and the Palestinian Cause
El-Sisi and Xi reiterated that the Palestinian issue remains central in the Middle East, stressing the need to reach a lasting settlement based on a two-state solution, leading to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with sovereignty along the borders of June 4, 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Both sides firmly rejected any plans to displace Palestinians from their lands, called for the establishment of a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, and ensured the unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid and the return of the Palestinian Authority to the region.
They also expressed concern over the Israeli escalation in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, including settler violence, land confiscation, and settlement expansion, emphasizing the need to maintain the unity of Palestinian territories and support the mandate of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).
Sudan, the Horn of Africa, and the Red Sea
Regarding the Sudanese issue, the two presidents emphasized the necessity of respecting Sudan’s unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, and announced their intention to work towards ending the war and launching a comprehensive political process led by Sudanese ownership.
Concerning the Horn of Africa, both sides considered that enhancing stability in the region requires respecting the sovereignty of its countries and the integrity of their territories.
They also affirmed that the governance and security of the Red Sea are primarily the responsibility of the coastal states, with a need to enhance regional cooperation among them to ensure freedom of navigation and international trade.
This issue is directly related to Egypt’s strategic interests, as the Suez Canal relies on the stability of navigation in the Red Sea and its routes leading to the Mediterranean.
Economic and Industrial Partnership
At the bilateral level, el-Sisi and Xi agreed to deepen the comprehensive strategic partnership, which has evolved since it was elevated to the level of comprehensive strategic partnership in 2014.
The agreements and discussions included continuing the implementation of infrastructure, transportation, energy, manufacturing, space, and technology projects, in addition to developing the Suez Canal Economic Zone and enhancing cooperation within the Belt and Road Initiative.
Both sides agreed to align Egypt’s Vision 2030 with the Belt and Road Initiative, aiming to enhance Egypt’s position as a regional hub for industry, logistics services, clean energy, and the digital economy, connecting Asia, Africa, and Europe.
The areas of cooperation identified in the joint statement include localizing electric vehicle manufacturing, shipbuilding, renewable energy, including solar panels and wind towers, and desalination of seawater.
Cooperation also extends to advanced technology sectors, such as cloud computing, data centers, data-driven economies, semiconductors, cybersecurity, space applications, and remote sensing, in addition to critical mineral supply chains, agriculture, and automotive manufacturing.
In the industrial framework, the visit included discussions on expanding the Chinese-Egyptian industrial zone in the Suez Canal area, which includes around 200 companies with investments nearing $4 billion.
Chinese companies are also operating in various sectors in Egypt, from developing container ports and green hydrogen projects to manufacturing steel pipes, tires, and satellites.
Trade and Finance
Cairo and Beijing also aim to increase the use of local currencies in trade and investment, encouraging the settlement of more trade and investment transactions away from foreign currencies.
The two presidents welcomed the renewal of the currency swap agreement between the two countries and increasing its value, alongside supporting financial institutions for investments in industrial projects, infrastructure, and green and digital transformation.
They also agreed to work towards achieving greater balance in the trade balance, encouraging additional Egyptian products to enter the Chinese market according to Chinese standards, and continuing consultations regarding the “early harvest” agreement.
China is one of Egypt’s largest trading partners, while the Egyptian market, with a population exceeding 110 million, represents one of the important markets for Chinese companies. Egyptian imports from China exceeded $10 billion during the first half of 2026, according to Egyptian government data, with an annual increase of over 14%.
According to Chinese customs data, the trade surplus with Egypt reached approximately $12 billion during the first seven months of 2026.
Energy, Transportation, and Technology
Bilateral cooperation includes sectors of clean energy, electric vehicles, the digital economy, and space, alongside the continued implementation of transportation and infrastructure projects.
Among the most notable projects is the light electric train network (LRT), which Egypt began implementing in 2014 to connect Cairo with new urban communities, including the new administrative capital and the city of 10th of Ramadan.
Cooperation in the energy sector has also expanded to include renewable energy and green hydrogen projects, while Cairo aims to attract more Chinese investments to the Suez Canal Economic Zone.
Security and Military Cooperation
Both sides agreed to enhance cooperation in law enforcement, security, combating transnational crime, and terrorism, alongside accelerating consultations regarding an agreement for the extradition of wanted persons.
Egypt and China affirmed their rejection of terrorism in all its forms, and the refusal to associate it with any specific country, ethnicity, or religion, emphasizing the need to combat terrorist organizations and prevent their harboring or support.
Security cooperation between the two countries also extends to the military; Egypt hosted joint air exercises in August 2026, which included Chinese J-16 fighter jets.
Tourism, Culture, and Education
The two presidents agreed to expand tourism cooperation, including increasing the number of Chinese tourists coming to Egypt and encouraging collaboration in establishing hotels and managing tourist resorts.
The understandings also included fields of media, culture, higher education, scientific research, and youth exchange, coinciding with the celebration of the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries and the “Year of Cultural and Human Communication between China and Africa” in 2026.
At the end of the visit, Xi invited el-Sisi to visit China, and the Egyptian president accepted the invitation, with the visit’s timing to be determined in accordance with both countries’ schedules.
Overall, the agreements and announced positions indicate that Cairo and Beijing are working to expand their relations from an economic and investment cooperation framework to a broader partnership that includes security, technology, energy, and political coordination regarding crises in the Middle East and Africa, with both sides reaffirming their roles in enhancing cooperation among Global South countries.
