Xi's Egypt visit to open a new chapter for the Global South

Editor's note: Hoda El Masry, a special commentator on current affairs for CGTN, is deputy editor-in-chief of the Rose al-Youssef Magazine. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

There are moments in international relations whose significance lies not only in themselves, but in the path they open toward the future. In 2026, the year marking the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Egypt, that moment is near: Chinese President Xi Jinping is scheduled to pay a state visit to Egypt and meet with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.

This visit, the first in a decade, is an opportunity to reassess the China-Egypt partnership in light of the profound changes in the international system – the rise of the Global South, the growing need for balanced development, and the search for a more representative and just international order.

The culmination of the momentum builds up with the two presidents exchanging congratulatory messages in May to mark the 70th anniversary, and in July, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi telling his Egyptian counterpart Badr Abdelatty that China was ready to maintain high-level exchanges and strengthen coordination on multilateral issues.

Egypt became the first African and Arab country to establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China on May 30, 1956. The relationship evolved from diplomatic ties to strategic cooperation, and in 2014, to a comprehensive strategic partnership. On the 70th anniversary, Xi described China-Egypt relations as a model of friendship, solidarity and cooperation among developing countries, while Sisi voiced his aspiration to work with China toward a more stable multipolar world capable of enabling inclusive development.

Both leaders increasingly frame the relationship not only in bilateral terms, but as part of a broader effort to strengthen the role of developing countries in shaping the global development agenda – a vision Xi's visit is expected to reinforce.

An important development in China-Egypt ties has been the shift from project-based cooperation toward an integrated development partnership. The first China-Egypt Development Cooperation Strategy for 2025-2029, signed during Chinese Premier Li Qiang's visit to Egypt in July 2025, covers a wide range, from healthcare, connectivity and climate change to green development and the digital economy. The underlying philosophy is that sustainable development is measured not merely by investment volumes or trade figures, but by the ability to create knowledge, localize technology, build capabilities and raise local added value.

This vision is especially visible in the Suez Canal Economic Zone, particularly the China-Egypt TEDA Suez Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone it hosts, about 120 kilometers from capital Cairo, which has evolved from a destination for Chinese investment into an industrial and logistics hub tied to Egypt's strategic position on global trade routes.

Over 3,300 Chinese companies are operating in Egypt across textiles, solar panels, chemicals, automotive manufacturing and logistics, with a specialized unit established for Chinese investments, according to Egypt's General Authority for Investment and Free Zones. This reflects a broader shift from infrastructure and investment toward manufacturing, technology transfer and export-oriented production. Egypt's role as a gateway to Africa has also gained political weight, with Abdelatty affirming Cairo's readiness to serve as China's entry point to the continent.

The strength of the partnership extends well beyond economics. Egypt and China converge broadly on climate change, food and water security, sustainable development, reform of international institutions and strengthening the voice of developing countries. The 2024 Joint Statement on Deepening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership signed by Xi and Sisi emphasized adherence to the UN Charter, rejection of double standard and reform of international institutions to make them more representative. China and Egypt already coordinate through the UN, the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum and the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, and Egypt's 2024 accession to BRICS reinforced that coordination.

As the world faces energy, food, climate, supply chain and financing crises, strengthening Global South cooperation should not be understood as building a bloc against anyone. Egypt's foreign policy favors diversified partnerships, independent decision-making and multilateralism. This means closer China-Egypt ties represent an expansion of development choices. The Global South, in its most constructive sense, is about creating a more balanced international system with greater developing-country participation, not confrontation with the North.

Xi's visit could elevate the partnership through three priorities: deepening development cooperation via local manufacturing, technology transfer, value chains, renewable energy, electric vehicles, the digital economy, artificial intelligence and smart agriculture; leveraging Egypt's strategic location to create shared value through regional export platforms linking Asia, Africa, the Arab world and Europe; and expanding Global South cooperation through shared expertise in financing, technology, food security and clean energy.

After seven decades, China-Egypt relations no longer need to prove their resilience. The task now is turning accumulated trust into tangible development, measured in factories, technology, skills, markets and food security. With President Xi's state visit, Egypt and China stand ready to open a new chapter – one in which historical friendship becomes a driving force for development, bilateral cooperation becomes a bridge between Asia, Africa and the Arab world, and the China-Egypt experience strengthens the voice of the Global South in building a more balanced and equitable international order.

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