China & Egypt After Seventy Years: A Partnership That Continues to Renew Itself

By: Prof. Liu Xinlu

Vice President of Beijing Foreign Studies University

ON May 30, 2026, China and Egypt mark the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. Seven decades are more than a milestone in the history of two nations; they represent a remarkable journey in which the relationship evolved from political recognition to strategic trust, from traditional friendship to development cooperation, and ultimately to broader coordination within the framework of the Global South.

From Political Recognition to Strategic Trust

In the 1950s, Asia and Africa were experiencing a historic wave of awakening. Many nations had emerged from colonial rule, while others were advancing toward independence. The 1955 Bandung Conference brought these countries together on common principles: opposition to colonialism and domination, commitment to national sovereignty, and the right of peoples to determine their own destinies.

It was at Bandung that the late Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai met Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser. Their meeting was far more than a diplomatic formality; it opened a channel of political understanding between China and Egypt. Shortly afterward, the two countries signed a trade agreement and established official trade representation offices, laying the groundwork for diplomatic relations.

On May 30, 1956, China and Egypt officially established diplomatic ties, making Egypt the first Arab and African country to establish diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China.

The Suez Crisis later that same year provided an early test of this emerging relationship. When President Nasser nationalized the Suez Canal, China stood firmly with Egypt in defense of its sovereignty and national dignity. Chinese support extended beyond political statements, taking practical forms such as importing Egyptian cotton and exporting steel to Egypt.

Although the following decades witnessed major international and regional transformations, the political foundation of Sino-Egyptian relations remained strong. In 1971, Egypt supported the restoration of the People’s Republic of China’s lawful seat in the United Nations. Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, China continued to support Egypt in safeguarding its sovereignty and addressing regional challenges. These formative years reflected a broader spirit of solidarity among China, the Arab world, Africa, and developing nations.

From Trade and Projects to Shared Development

Over time, Sino-Egyptian relations expanded well beyond politics. Economic and commercial cooperation gradually moved from symbolic exchanges to tangible projects and shared interests.

Initially, cooperation carried a strong political dimension. However, following China’s reform and opening-up policy in the late 1970s, economic ties began to play an increasingly prominent role. Trade expanded, and Chinese companies entered the Egyptian market through commerce and contracting projects.

By 1988, bilateral trade had reached US$165 million, making Egypt one of China’s important trading partners in the Middle East. The Cairo International Conference Center, constructed with Chinese assistance, became one of the earliest symbols of practical economic and technical cooperation. By 1998, bilateral trade had grown to US$607 million, while Chinese enterprises had completed more than 150 contracts in Egypt.

In 1999, the two countries established a strategic cooperative relationship oriented toward the twenty-first century. Since then, cooperation has become more structured and comprehensive. The China-Egypt TEDA Suez Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone, launched in 2008, marked an important transition from trade in goods to industrial cooperation and productive capacity development.

The launch of the Belt and Road Initiative in 2013 further aligned China’s development priorities with Egypt’s Vision 2030. Cooperation entered a new phase characterized by greater scale and depth. Major projects included the Central Business District of Egypt’s New Administrative Capital and the Light Rail Transit system linking Cairo, the New Administrative Capital, and 10th of Ramadan City.

The significance of these projects extends beyond their physical scale. They directly support Egypt’s urban expansion, transportation modernization, and ambitions to strengthen its position as a regional hub. At the same time, they provide a platform for Chinese companies to contribute to Egypt’s modernization and sustainable development efforts.

In recent years, cooperation has expanded beyond traditional infrastructure into telecommunications, information technology, smart cities, e-commerce, green development, high-tech industries, renewable energy, and advanced manufacturing. This reflects a new stage in which cooperation is increasingly focused on localization, industrial capacity building, and long-term value creation.

From Bilateral Partnership to the Global South

As the relationship reaches its seventieth anniversary, its significance extends beyond bilateral ties. China and Egypt are both important members of the Global South, inheritors of ancient civilizations, and nations committed to development and modernization.

Today, the two countries cooperate through multiple multilateral platforms, including the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum, the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, BRICS, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. These frameworks provide broader opportunities for coordination and joint action.

Egypt’s accession to BRICS on January 1, 2024, opened new avenues for cooperation in development, finance, and global governance, not only between China and Egypt but also among developing countries more broadly.

Amid ongoing global uncertainty, tensions in the Middle East, and disruptions affecting Red Sea shipping routes, Egypt’s strategic importance has once again come to the forefront. Situated at one of the world’s most vital trade crossroads, Egypt occupies a position where regional security and global supply chains intersect.

In this context, China and Egypt continue to emphasize political solutions to international crises, adherence to the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter, and opposition to the militarization of political disputes or bloc confrontation. Regarding the Palestinian issue, China consistently supports the two-state solution, while Egypt continues to play a vital role in mediation efforts and humanitarian assistance. Their cooperation on regional peace and stability reflects a shared understanding of sovereignty, security, development, fairness, and justice.

Looking Ahead

After seventy years, the vitality of China-Egypt relations lies in their ability to adapt to the demands of each era. During the age of national liberation, the two countries found in each other political and moral support. During the pursuit of modernization, accumulated trust was transformed into development cooperation and tangible projects. Today, as the Global South assumes a more prominent role, this relationship has become part of a broader conversation about the future of the international order and the place of developing nations within it.

The next stage of China-Egypt relations should not simply commemorate a long history of friendship; it should build upon that legacy to create a partnership more closely aligned with contemporary needs—a partnership that promotes development, supports stability, and deepens mutual understanding between the two peoples.

The more successfully both countries transform political trust into practical cooperation, cultural affinity into deeper mutual knowledge, and shared aspirations into more effective international coordination, the greater their ability to open new horizons for development, stability, and shared prosperity in the decades ahead.