World News
Chinese President Xi Jinping visits Egypt to deepen economic and strategic ties
The trip marks Xi's first visit to Cairo since 2016 as the two nations commemorate 70 years of diplomatic relations amid Middle East tensions.
The short version
- Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi in Cairo for his first official visit to Egypt in a decade.
- The leaders aimed to advance their 2014 Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement and expand bilateral trade, which reached nearly $20.7 billion by late 2025.
- Discussions covered major regional stability concerns, including Middle East conflicts and disputes surrounding the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam.
- Both nations continue to expand military and economic collaboration, underscored by recent joint air exercises and investments in the Suez Canal economic corridor.
Key facts
- Xi Jinping arrived in Cairo on September 1, 2026, marking his first visit to Egypt since 2016 and coinciding with the 70th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties.[Al Jazeera]
- China is Egypt's largest trading partner in non-petroleum goods, with two-way trade totaling nearly $20.7 billion by the end of 2025 according to Egypt's State Information Service.[Al Jazeera]
- Egypt's statistical agency CAPMAS reported $840.8 million in exports to China and $10.4 billion in imports during the first half of 2026.[Al Jazeera]
- The China-Egypt TEDA cooperation zone in Ain Sokhna accommodates approximately 200 companies with investments exceeding $3.8 billion.[Al Jazeera]
- President el-Sisi publicly thanked China for its solidarity regarding Egypt's Nile water rights related to the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam.[Al Jazeera]
- The two countries launched joint military aviation drills titled the 'Eagles of Civilisation' in Egypt on August 22, 2026.[Al Jazeera]
What remains uncertain
- Specific bilateral agreements, new investments, or diplomatic initiatives finalized during the summit have not yet been detailed.[Al Jazeera]