Kathmandu— Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Cairo for his first visit to Egypt since 2016, marking the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. The visit comes amid regional instability and seeks to bolster economic ties, with trade reaching nearly $20.7 billion by the end of 2025.

Strengthening Bilateral Relations

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi received Xi in Cairo on Tuesday, highlighting the importance of their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement signed in 2014. The visit aims to strengthen bilateral relations and discuss regional issues of mutual interest. According to Presidential spokesman Ambassador Mohamed el-Shennawy, consultations will cover a range of topics including economic cooperation and strategic partnerships.

Economic Trade Boom

Trade between China and Egypt has seen significant growth, with bilateral trade reaching nearly $20.7 billion by the end of 2025. Egyptian exports to China have increased by almost 200 percent in the first half of 2026, totaling $840.8 million, while imports from China stood at $10.4 billion. Chinese investments are concentrated in the Suez Canal area, with a focus on the China-Egypt TEDA cooperation zone in Ain Sokhna, which hosts about 200 companies with investments exceeding $3.8 billion.

Regional Tensions and Strategic Alignment

The visit occurs against a backdrop of regional instability, including tensions over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) and the ongoing conflict in Gaza. In an article published by Al-Ahram newspaper, el-Sisi thanked Beijing for its support on Nile water issues, emphasizing mutual cooperation to achieve win-win outcomes. Xi Jinping highlighted China’s commitment to global stability and peace, noting that both countries are dedicated to resolving regional conflicts through political means.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.