70 years on, China-Egypt ties grow stronger through diverse exchanges

China and Egypt are celebrating the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations this year, with bilateral ties deepening across an increasingly broad range of areas.

Trade and investment remain important pillars, while cooperation is gaining momentum in digital technology, green energy and cultural exchanges.

Egypt was the first Arab and African country to establish diplomatic relations with China.

The two countries upgraded their relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership in late 2014, and bilateral ties have deepened across multiple fields under the Belt and Road Initiative.

As a key project under China-Egypt Belt and Road cooperation, the Central Business District in Egypt's New Administrative Capital, east of Cairo, was built by a Chinese company.

The project includes a 385.8-meter skyscraper, which is set to become the tallest building in Africa.

The 70-year relationship is increasingly reflected not only in the volume of goods traded between the two countries, but also in the industries being developed, technologies being introduced and exchanges taking place on the ground.

Zero tariffs open the Chinese market to more Egyptian goods Official data shows that China has been Egypt's largest trading partner for 14 consecutive years, with bilateral trade reaching a record $20.79 billion in 2025.

Egypt's imports from China are concentrated in engineering equipment, textiles and building materials, while its exports to China are mainly agricultural and food products.

Five products – frozen strawberries, beet pulp, raw flax, natural pigments and natural calcium phosphate – accounted for 46.1% of Egypt's exports to China.

The trade figures have strengthened further this year.

Since May 1, China has applied zero tariffs to products from 53 African countries that have diplomatic relations with China, including Egypt.

Egypt's exports to China rose 199.8% year on year to $840.8 million in the first half of 2026, up from $280.5 million in the same period last year, according to Egypt's Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS).

The policy is also changing how some Egyptian companies approach the Chinese market.