President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi’s visit to Beijing last May to participate in the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum and his meeting with President Xi Jinping have marked the culmination of the special relationship that has bound the two countries for several decades.

As such, the joint statement issued during the visit unsurprisingly referred to the leap that has taken place in the overall bilateral relations, highlighting what was achieved since 2014.

The Chinese Ambassador in Cairo Liao Liqiang has repeatedly emphasized this momentum in relations. 

With the launch of the “Egypt-China Partnership Year” to promote and develop bilateral relations in various fields, he pointed out on more than one occasion the events that will take place throughout that year. This includes plans to increase and intensify high-level mutual visits to elevate the relations between the two countries.

Ambassador Liao Liqiang also highlighted the joint successes achieved throughout these extended relations, whether economically or commercially, which reflected in China’s being Egypt’s largest trading partner over the past 10 years. 

On the economic lever, China has participated in many major projects, especially in infrastructure, transportation, and railway sectors.

For example, it participated in the construction of the business district in Egypt’s New Administrative Capital, the launch of the electric train in the Tenth of Ramadan area, Chinese investments in the Suez Canal Economic Zone, and the launch of Egyptian satellite EgyptSat-2. 

In addition, it participated in strengthening financial cooperation and extending the local currency swap agreement as well as Egypt’s success in issuing “Panda” bonds in China and joining the BRICS group.

These successes would not have been achieved without the political will of both countries’ leaders to strengthen this partnership and build on it by signing the executive programme for the comprehensive strategic partnership for the next five years (2024-2028).

This programme represents a roadmap for developing bilateral relations and joint efforts to localize industries and transfer technologies as a priority for Egyptian-Chinese cooperation in the future.

Furthermore, the partnership aims to expand Chinese industrial investments in Egypt and achieve more balance in trading volume.

This includes allowing more high-quality Egyptian products to enter the Chinese market, facilitating the entry of production inputs from China to manufacture the final product in Egypt, and exploring ways to settle commercial transactions in the local currencies of the two countries.

Their partnership also aims to promote Chinese tourist flow to Egypt and enhance media, cultural, scientific, and artificial intelligence cooperation. 

Politics will receive similar attention during the current partnership year. This manifested in China’s support for Egypt’s legitimate right to protect its water and food security and development interests or Egypt’s steadfast commitment to the one-China principle.

The mutual support in addressing the fundamental issues of both nations and facing multiple global challenges together is the best evidence of this cooperation’s solidity. 

China has repeatedly expressed willingness to help Egypt integrate its 2030 Vision for Sustainable Development and its Belt and Road Initiative.

On the other hand, Egypt is a partner in the Global Civilization Initiative announced by China. It also supports the Chinese proposal to establish a Global Day for Dialogue among civilizations annually in June.

The Chinese side has also commended the Decent Life Initiative as one of Egypt’s most important developmental initiatives.