Chinese PM's Visit to Egypt Reflects Depth of Strategic Ties Binding Two Presidents: Diplomat

Egypt Independent

09-07-2025

Chinese ambassador to Egypt Liu Licheng said Chinese Premier Li Qiang's visit to Egypt on Wednesday July 9,2025 at an invitation of Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouli constitutes a significant diplomatic milestone in advancing strategic consensus reached between President Abdel Fattah El Sisi and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping.
In a press release issued by the Chinese embassy in Cairo, the Chinese ambassador said, the visit marks the Chinese primer's first official trip to Egypt attesting to continued strengthening and expansion of bilateral relations between the two nations.
Liu voiced confidence that the visit would inject strong momentum into advancing the comprehensive strategic partnership between Egypt and China.
Egypt and China are close partners, progressing in tandem toward shared goals, he said.
The Chinese diplomat underlined the strong personal rapport between the two countries' presidents, who met twice over the past year and agreed to elevate bilateral ties, with the aim of building a 'community of shared future in the new era.'
Earlier this year, both leaders also took part in commemorative events held in Russia to mark the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union's victory in the Great Patriotic War.
The ambassador underscored the mutual support Egypt and China extend to one another on matters of core national interest, noting Egypt's firm adherence to the 'One China' principle and China's consistent support for Egypt's efforts to preserve its sovereignty and national security.
He said countries are intensifying high-level exchanges and bolstering communication and cooperation among their governments, legislative institutions and political parties across all levels and reinforcing mutual political trust.
Liu said Beijing is Egypt's largest trading partner and primary source of imports, in addition to being one of the country's key foreign investors.
He highlighted that the China-Egypt TEDA Suez Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone, located in the Ain Sokhna district of Suez, has played a substantial role in driving local economic growth and generating significant employment opportunities in recent years.
Chinese companies are actively investing in Egypt across a wide range of sectors, including new building materials, textiles, renewable energy and household appliances, thereby helping Egypt capitalize on its strategic geographic location as a key driver of economic development, added the diplomat.
The ambassador also highlighted the ongoing financial cooperation between the two countries, which has supported Egypt's pursuit of sustainable development.
He emphasized that China's model of modernization has delivered tangible benefits to the Egyptian people.
The ambassador noted that Egypt was the first Arab and African nation to establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China, affirming that the traditional friendship between the two countries has only deepened with time.
Ambassador Liu highlighted that the previous year was designated the 'Year of the China-Egypt Partnership,' during which a wide array of cultural events were jointly organized to enhance mutual understanding and cooperation.
He noted a growing interest among Egyptians in learning the Chinese language, accompanied by an increase in direct air travel that has further facilitated bilateral exchanges.
Liu also underlined the strong enthusiasm of the Chinese public for Egyptian culture, as demonstrated by the widespread popularity of the Egyptian Antiquities Exhibition.
Also, a joint Chinese-Egyptian archaeological team recently discovered a temple in one of Egypt's ancient capitals, marking a significant achievement in cultural collaboration.
Liu said, the shared vision between China and Egypt exemplifies a new model of international relations with strategic significance extending beyond the bilateral framework.
He elaborated that the two nations maintain close coordination within the United Nations and actively promote cooperation and solidarity among Global South countries through multilateral platforms such as the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum, the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).
The ambassador stressed that both countries consistently advocate for political solutions to international and regional crises, including the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the war in Ukraine, thereby contributing to global stability amidst rising geopolitical tensions.
Liu reaffirmed Beijing's unwavering support for Egypt's initiative, alongside other Arab states, to rebuild Gaza.
The Chinese diplomat also expressed support for the joint statement issued by the foreign ministers of Egypt and over 20 Arab and Islamic countries, which calls for a ceasefire, the resumption of negotiations on Iran's nuclear issue, and the pursuit of lasting peace in the region.
He noted that China-Arab relations have reached their highest historical level, with both sides committed to advancing the China-Arab community in the new era.
This includes the comprehensive implementation of China's eight actions for global development and a five-point proposal to promote high-quality development of China-Africa cooperation, proposed by President Xi, added the diplomat.
The ambassador highlighted that trade volume between China and Arab countries surpassed dlrs 400 billion in 2024, and that the Belt and Road Initiative now encompasses all 22 Arab states, delivering tangible benefits to the two billion people across both regions.
Looking ahead, Liu noted that 2025 marks the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Egypt, which will coincide with the anticipated second China-Arab Summit to be held in China, a milestone expected to usher in a new phase in both China-Egypt and China-Arab relations.
He voiced hope that Qiang's visit would serve to reinforce traditional friendship, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation and advance China-Egypt relations toward the goal of building a China-Egypt community with a shared future in the new era, while also contributing to the development of a higher-level China-Arab community of shared future.