China’s Xi makes first visit to Egypt in a decade, amid regional turmoil

What the report says

Chinese President Xi Jinping has made his first visit to Egypt since 2016, with the trip taking place in Cairo on Tuesday as the two countries mark 70 years of diplomatic relations. According to Al Jazeera, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi received Xi and the visit was framed by both sides as a chance to strengthen a long-running strategic partnership and review cooperation agreements signed in 2014.

Al Jazeera reported that the agenda included bilateral talks as well as consultations on regional and international issues. The article said China’s foreign ministry has described ties with Egypt as being at their strongest level, while Egyptian officials said the visit was meant to advance implementation of the comprehensive partnership and deepen political and economic coordination.

Trade and investment are a major part of the relationship. Al Jazeera cited official Egyptian figures saying China is Egypt’s largest trading partner in non-petroleum goods, with commerce nearing $20.7bn by the end of 2025. It also pointed to Chinese-linked industrial activity in the Suez Canal area, including the TEDA zone in Ain Sokhna, which hosts many companies tied to Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative.

The visit comes amid wider regional tensions, including the Gaza war and other Middle East crises. Al Jazeera said both leaders emphasized support for Palestinian rights and broader efforts toward stability, while el-Sisi also noted Egypt’s concerns over Nile water security and praised China’s stance on the issue.