Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and visiting Chinese Premier Li Qiang agreed on Thursday to broaden cooperation in trade, renewable energy and defence as the two countries prepare to mark 70 years of diplomatic ties in 2026.
During talks in Cairo attended by Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly and senior ministers, Sisi described Beijing as “a key partner in Egypt’s economic future” and said he hoped to attract more Chinese investment in solar and wind power, electric-vehicle assembly and tourism.
Egypt is also exploring debt-swap arrangements with China to finance new projects, officials said.
Li, who arrived from the BRICS summit in Brazil, told reporters China would “encourage more capable enterprises to invest” under the Belt and Road Initiative and singled out trade, finance, manufacturing, technology and cultural exchange as priority areas.
Bilateral trade is already close to $14 billion a year, making China one of Egypt’s top commercial partners. Military ties are also growing: the two countries held their first joint air-force drill in April.
Both sides said Thursday’s meeting underscored a strategic partnership that now extends well beyond commerce into regional security and multilateral diplomacy.