China views Egyptian Police Day (January 25th) as a national holiday reflecting the stability and strength of the Egyptian state. It appreciates the efforts of the Egyptian police, represented by the Ministry of Interior, in maintaining security and protecting major Chinese projects in Cairo, such as the New Administrative Capital and the Suez Canal Economic Zone. These efforts by the Egyptian police and Ministry of Interior bolster Beijing’s confidence in the investment climate in Egypt. The Chinese government and authorities value the role of the Egyptian police and Ministry of Interior as a key partner for China and the “Chinese Ministry of Public Security”—which, like the Egyptian Ministry of Interior, is responsible for policing and maintaining order in China—in protecting China’s shared interests in Egypt within the framework of China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
Security expertise is exchanged and continuous communication is strengthened between the Egyptian and Chinese security agencies, including reciprocal visits of senior security officials, such as the recent visit of the Egyptian Minister of Interior, Major General/ Mahmoud Tawfik, to the Chinese capital, Beijing, on October 28, 2024, which came within the framework of supporting and strengthening bilateral security cooperation relations with friendly countries like China, at the head of a high-level Egyptian security delegation in response to an invitation from “Wang Xiaohong”, the Chinese Minister of Public Security, to discuss ways to develop security cooperation relations between the two sides. Following an invitation from the Chinese Ministry of Public Security to Egyptian Interior Minister Major General Mahmoud Tawfik to visit sensitive Chinese police sites, including inspections of several specialized police facilities, such as the Chinese Police University and the Chinese Peacekeeping Training Center, Chinese Minister of Public Security Wang Xiaohong emphasized the importance of engaging his Egyptian counterpart and providing professional and security training opportunities for Egyptian police officers. The Chinese Ministry of Public Security pledged to train and qualify Egyptian officers, enhance their capabilities, and provide them with all necessary technical and training resources at various Chinese security sites under specialized Chinese supervision. This initiative aims to protect Chinese economic and investment interests in Egypt and safeguard vital trade routes, such as the Suez Canal, through which most Chinese trade and supply chains pass. This is all in the interest of preserving China’s interests and its Belt and Road Initiative.
Here, analyses from Chinese think tanks and research centers specializing in the Middle East emerged, offering a perspective on Egyptian Police Day (January 25th) each year. This perspective stems from China’s consistent emphasis on supporting Egyptian state institutions. China tends to support strong security and national institutions as guarantors of stability. Therefore, it views the anniversary within its historical and national context as a symbol of sacrifice for sovereignty. Several Middle East studies and research centers within Chinese universities study modern Egyptian history, focusing extensively on the role of the Egyptian police during the events of the Battle of Ismailia in 1952. These studies include comprehensive Chinese analyses of the Egyptian police’s role in the Battle of Ismailia, which took place on January 25, 1952. This was an armed confrontation between Egyptian police forces and British occupation forces after the Egyptian police refused to surrender their weapons and evacuate the governorate building. The battle resulted in the martyrdom of 56 Egyptian policemen and the injury of 73 others. This is something that relevant security authorities in China appreciate, as Egypt and its police celebrate this anniversary annually, considering it “Egyptian Police Day” in commemoration of the sacrifices and heroism of its officers.
As an internationally renowned Egyptian researcher specializing in Chinese politics and the policies of the ruling Communist Party in China, I have recently observed a fruitful research collaboration between Egypt and China. This collaboration explores all avenues for enhancing security and police cooperation between the two countries, particularly the Egyptian research partnership with the “Center for Chinese-Arab Studies on Reform and Development in China.” The content of Chinese academic studies related to modern Egyptian history, the Battle of Ismailia, and the role of the Egyptian police in it on January 25, 1952, has increased.
This Chinese-Egyptian security cooperation encompasses protecting the safety of each country’s citizens and major projects in the other, such as Chinese projects within the framework of the “Belt and Road Initiative” in Egypt. Furthermore, Chinese-Egyptian security cooperation extends to multilateral frameworks and President “Xi Jinping’s Global Security Initiative”. Egypt and China are working to enhance coordination in international and regional forums, such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), BRICS, and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), to address shared global security challenges. These joint efforts demonstrate China’s appreciation for the role of the Egyptian police and Ministry of Interior as a cornerstone of security in the Middle East region.
Security relations between the Egyptian Ministry of Interior and the Chinese Ministry of Public Security are characterized by close and continuous cooperation, focusing on counterterrorism, law enforcement, and the exchange of training and technical expertise. This cooperation aims to bolster stability and combat organized crime and cybercrime within the framework of the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries. Key areas of cooperation between the Egyptian Ministry of Interior and the Chinese Ministry of Public Security include counterterrorism and crime, achieved through the signing of joint Chinese-Egyptian technical cooperation protocols and documents. These agreements enhance the capabilities of security agencies in both countries to confront the threats of terrorism, organized crime, and cybercrime. Furthermore, the ongoing exchange of expertise and professional and security training between the two countries is crucial. Both Egypt and China are committed to strengthening communication channels and exchanging information and training expertise to improve efficiency. Security personnel in various areas of joint security work between them.
In addition to the Egyptian and Chinese sides’ commitment, through the Egyptian Ministry of Interior and the Chinese Ministry of Public Security, to holding regular ministerial meetings between the two countries, high-level joint ministerial meetings have also been held to exchange views on security issues of mutual interest, such as the second meeting between the Chinese Ministry of Public Security and the Egyptian Ministry of Interior. These joint security efforts between China and Egypt support the stability and security of Chinese investments in Egypt, such as those in the “TEDA industrial zone,” which encompasses hundreds of projects. This cooperation underscores the convergence of views between Egypt and China in combating negative phenomena and crimes in all their forms, serving the mission of security and stability in the Middle East region and promoting the spirit of President Xi Jinping’s Global Security Initiative.
Here, China considers the security and political stability in Egypt, particularly for the Egyptian police and Ministry of Interior, to be a favorable environment for the success of China’s Belt and Road Initiative and other joint projects, such as the “TEDA Suez Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone,” which have contributed to local economic growth and job creation. Accordingly, China’s public appreciation for the security efforts undertaken by the Egyptian police has grown, with Chinese officials, including President “Xi Jinping”, praising President El-Sisi’s efforts in consolidating stability and security in Egypt. This, in turn, supports a safe business environment for Chinese investors in Cairo. China has pledged to support Egypt’s legitimate right to maintain its security and stability and rejects any external interference in its internal affairs. Furthermore, the Egyptian and Chinese Ministries of Interior and Public Security have agreed to deepen cooperation in combating terrorism and organized crime and in enforcing the law to address transnational crimes in all their forms.
In one notable case, a Chinese citizen publicly thanked Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and the Egyptian police after being defrauded in Egypt. The efforts of the Egyptian police and Ministry of Interior successfully restored his rights, reflecting the continued confidence of the Chinese government and people in the ability of Egyptian security forces to protect foreign individuals and property. These indicators underscore that China views the role of the Egyptian police in maintaining internal security, particularly on the anniversary of the January 25 Revolution and Egyptian Police Day, as essential for ensuring a safe and stable investment environment, thus serving the shared economic interests of both countries.
China regularly expresses its appreciation for security cooperation with Egypt, which ensures the safety of Chinese experts and companies. The Egyptian police play a pivotal role in protecting Chinese investments in Egypt and creating a secure environment for Chinese industrial zones, thus facilitating the flow of Chinese investment into Cairo. Furthermore, China consistently emphasizes Beijing’s support for the stability of Egypt, its police force, and its Ministry of Interior, considering them the cornerstone for the continuation and expansion of economic and strategic projects between the two countries.
The Chinese perspective on events in Egypt, particularly those related to the anniversary of the January 25 Revolution and Police Day, is characterized by a focus on national stability and a rejection of foreign interference. This aligns with Beijing’s diplomatic principles and the development of its strategic relationship with Cairo. The Chinese stance on the January 25 Revolution in Egypt is evident in its initial caution regarding instability. At the outset of the January 25, 2011, revolution in Egypt, Beijing viewed the uprising with apprehension, fearing it might become a model of “color revolutions” that could threaten social and political stability. It opted to focus its media coverage on scenes of chaos and destruction to warn its citizens against the dangers of unrest. The security, military, intelligence, and security apparatuses in Beijing converged on the importance of respecting the Egyptian people’s choice and the sovereignty of the Egyptian state. The official Chinese position has consistently supported the right of nations to choose their own independent development path, while emphasizing the “necessity of restoring stability and social order” as quickly as possible.
The volume of Chinese security cooperation with the Egyptian Ministry of Interior has increased significantly. Relations between the two countries are characterized by continuous coordination in the areas of counterterrorism and training of security personnel. This reflects Chinese appreciation for the role of the Egyptian police in protecting substantial Chinese investments in Egypt, such as the TEDA industrial zone in Suez.
Here, Chinese think tanks and research centers specializing in the Middle East have highlighted the division of China’s relations with Egypt into pre- and post-January 25th Revolution phases. These Chinese entities classify China’s relations with Egypt under President “Abdel Fattah El-Sisi” and the success of the June 30th Revolution as a continuation of the January 25th Revolution in Egypt and a reflection of Egyptian Police Day. This is seen through the Chinese vision of a comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Egypt, particularly on the 15th anniversary of the January Revolution (January 2026). China emphasizes that Egypt is a key strategic partner in the region, with trade between the two countries growing to approximately $16 billion. The political alignment between the Egyptian and Chinese visions is evident, with Beijing consistently expressing its support for “Egypt Vision 2030” and emphasizing the convergence of views on issues of sovereignty and non-interference in internal affairs, a principle that underpins its interpretation of any political event in Egypt.
Accordingly, these indicators confirm that China views the role played by the Egyptian police and the Ministry of Interior in maintaining internal security as a fundamental element for ensuring a safe and stable investment environment for Chinese investors in Egypt, thus serving the shared economic interests of both countries.
