The Nile River and the Yangtze River flow endlessly, and the two ancient civilizations echo each other across mountains and seas. On the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Egypt, guided by the diplomacy of the heads of state, we will continue to write a new friendship on the Silk Road through political mutual trust, economic and trade exchanges, and cultural mutual learning, and jointly draw a broad picture of global southern cooperation.

China and Egypt join hands to embark on a new journey

2026 marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Egypt. Egyptian Ambassador to China Khalid Nazmi wrote an article reviewing the history of friendship between the two countries, summarizing achievements in politics, economy, trade, and humanities, and looking forward to future cooperation prospects. On May 30, 1956, China and Egypt officially established diplomatic relations, ushering in a new chapter of interaction between the two ancient civilizations. The two countries uphold mutual respect and work together to seek development and prosperity. Egypt has also become the first Arab and African country to establish diplomatic relations with China, opening the curtain on China's exchanges with Arab and African countries.

Deeply cultivate political mutual trust

For the past 70 years, China and Egypt have adhered to the principles of mutual respect, mutual benefit and win-win cooperation, and are a model of cooperation among countries in the global South. Both sides have high mutual trust, respect each other's sovereignty and development path. On May 29, 2024, the two heads of state held talks in Beijing. Egypt once supported China's restoration of its legitimate seat in the United Nations and adhered to the One China principle; China supports Egypt's modernization construction. In 2014, China and Egypt upgraded to a comprehensive strategic partnership, moving towards building a community with a shared future for China and Egypt in the new era. The high-level interaction between the two countries is close, relying on multilateral platforms to speak out in coordination on international and regional affairs.

In the past decade, economic and trade investment has become a prominent highlight of China Egypt cooperation. More than 2800 Chinese companies have settled in Egypt and participated in multiple national key projects, with business covering multiple industries such as infrastructure, new energy, communication, and aerospace. Egypt has outstanding geographical advantages and a continuously optimized business environment, making it an important investment destination for China. The local government has also invited more Chinese enterprises to expand their markets in Egypt. Egypt participated in the joint construction of the the Belt and Road earlier, and its development plan was deeply linked with the initiative, becoming a successful example of international cooperation.

Cultivate humanistic bonds

Cultural exchanges bring people from both countries closer and strengthen the foundation of mutual understanding. Over the past 70 years, cooperation between the two sides has continued to expand in areas such as cultural relic protection, art exhibitions, academic seminars, and language teaching. Egypt welcomes Chinese tourists to visit, and the newly opened Grand Egyptian Museum has a rich collection that allows visitors to experience ancient Egyptian civilization and diverse cultural and tourism resources. Keywords: the Belt and Road news, economic and trade investment, people to people and cultural exchanges, Egypt

The 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations is an important milestone for carrying forward the past and opening up the future. Coinciding with the start of China's 15th Five Year Plan and the positive development of Egypt, it brings significant opportunities for bilateral cooperation. Quoting Wang Bo's poem, the two great civilizations on the banks of the Nile River and the Yangtze River have maintained a lasting friendship for seventy years, and both sides will continue to write a new chapter of mutual benefit and progress.Editor/Gong Ziwei