Seventy years after Egypt became the first Arab and African country to establish diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China, Cairo and Beijing are looking to take their relationship into a new era. Chinese President Xi Jinping’s two-day state visit to Egypt, held September 1–2 at the invitation of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, was focused on the future of the two countries’ relations. During their talks, Presidents El-Sisi and Xi reviewed the significant expansion of bilateral relations, particularly since the two countries established their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2014. El-Sisi and his Chinese counterpart also agreed to launch the third phase of the expansion of China-Egypt TEDA Suez Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone in the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZone). More than 200 companies have already invested in the zone. China recognized the importance of the Nile River to Egypt’s water and food security, while Egypt reaffirmed its commitment to the One-China principle and its support for China’s position on issues related to sovereignty and territorial integrity, including Taiwan. A relationship built on infrastructure, now moving into technology Chinese involvement in Egypt is already highly visible. The two…
