The exchange of congratulatory messages between Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Egyptian counterpart, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries was significant. The exchange of congratulatory messages was comprehensive, extending beyond the presidential level to include other high-level diplomatic channels, such as the Egyptian Prime Minister’s office and the Chinese State Council. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly exchanged congratulatory messages to enhance cooperation in the economic and technological fields, emphasizing the need to accelerate high-quality collaboration and achieve unprecedented results in joint development projects within the framework of China’s Belt and Road Initiative. The two countries’ foreign ministers also exchanged messages affirming the strength of the diplomatic ties that have spanned seven decades. This occasion, the 70th anniversary of relations between Egypt and China, reflects the depth of the strategic partnership and the two countries’ efforts to strengthen the voice of the Global South and build a multipolar international system.
Here are the most prominent indications and messages of the exchange of congratulations between the leaders of both countries. They acknowledged Chinese President Xi Jinping’s World Civilization Initiative, which reflects the historical leadership of both nations on a civilizational and cultural level, as they are among the oldest civilizations in history. Egypt supports China’s World Civilization Initiative, respecting cultural specificity, the culture of diversity, and the right of each country to choose a national development path appropriate to its specific circumstances. Respecting the unique civilizational and historical leadership of both Egypt and China within the framework of the Chinese World Civilization Initiative, as they are among the oldest civilizations in history, the alliance between Egypt and China is based on their shared historical heritage and deep cultural ties. This exchange strengthens the soft power of both countries in shaping the international system. Egypt respects the dimensions of the Chinese World Civilization Initiative, which aims to respect the specificity of each nation. The Chinese World Civilization Initiative rejects imposing a single value or political model, emphasizing the principle of multiple paths, supporting the right of countries to choose a development path suitable to their national circumstances, and promoting intercultural dialogue as an alternative to the American clash of civilizations model. And Western cooperation and knowledge exchange.
This highlights the commitment of Egypt and China to amplifying the voice of the Global South and Egypt’s recognition of China’s leadership in raising the South’s profile globally and defending its interests in all international forums. The partnership between Egypt and China represents a strong front for defending the interests of developing countries and the voice of the Global South. This can be considered a step towards reforming the international system through the joint Egyptian-Chinese pursuit of a more equitable multipolar world order and the establishment of the principle of economic integration by linking Egypt’s Vision 2030 with China’s Belt and Road Initiative. Presidents El-Sisi and Xi Jinping emphasized the importance of coordination to support the issues of developing countries and the Global South, achieve comprehensive and equitable development that serves the interests of the peoples of the South, and advocate for a multipolar world. The partnership between Egypt and China is a fundamental pillar for defending the issues of the Global South and amplifying the voice of developing countries in international forums. This alliance is based on a mutual recognition by both China and Egypt of the importance of leading and coordinating joint efforts to establish a more balanced and equitable world order. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi expressed his aspiration to build a more stable world, better equipped to face global challenges, considering the relationship between Egypt and China a model of stability in international relations. Chinese President Xi Jinping affirmed that relations between Beijing and Cairo have withstood international transformations and remain a model of mutual respect. This reflects the pillars of the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two sides: mutual respect, non-interference in the internal affairs of states, and respect for national sovereignty and development choices. This is further evidenced by continuous coordination on political and economic issues at both the regional and international levels and resilience in the face of transformations through maintaining consistent positions and strong ties despite rapid global geopolitical changes.
In this context, Egypt is among the most prominent supporters and participants in China’s four initiatives (development, security, civilization, and global governance). The Egyptian vision aligns with Chinese proposals for building a more just international order and driving comprehensive development. The most prominent aspects of this Egyptian respect and rapprochement with China lie in Egypt’s support for the China Global Development Initiative (GDI). This Chinese initiative highlights the principle of strategic integration between Egypt and China. The GDI closely aligns with Egypt’s Vision 2030 for Sustainable Development through several major Chinese projects in Cairo. The Central Business District in the New Administrative Capital and the high-speed electric train project are prime examples of the development partnership between Egypt and China. Furthermore, the China Global Development Initiative (GDI) focuses on investing in Egyptian infrastructure, and Egypt is keen to promote Chinese investments in the Suez Canal Corridor and logistics ports within the framework of China’s Belt and Road Initiative. This is coupled with Egypt’s support for the China Global Security Initiative (GSI). This initiative aims to support regional stability, and Egypt affirms its alignment with the GSI, which calls for peaceful conflict resolution, respect for state sovereignty, the principles of international law, and water and food security. Egypt considers the Chinese Global Security Initiative an important framework for supporting security and stability in the Middle East and Africa. Egypt has consistently emphasized its deep cultural and civilizational support for Chinese President Xi Jinping’s Global Civilization Initiative (GCI). This reflects the depth of cultural exchange between Egypt and China, and Egypt’s consistent praise for the Chinese Global Civilization Initiative, which calls for respect for civilizational and cultural diversity, rejects the clash of civilizations, and promotes a strong partnership in the field of heritage preservation. The two countries cooperate in areas such as heritage preservation and the establishment of cultural centers and Chinese language programs in Egyptian schools and universities. Egypt also seeks to learn from and gain experience from China’s Global Governance Initiative (GGL). This includes advocating for reform of the international system, supporting the Chinese vision for more equitable representation of developing countries in international institutions such as the United Nations and the Security Council, and consistently defending multilateralism. Here, Egyptian diplomacy believes in the importance of economic and political pluralism, as reflected in Egypt’s active participation in the expansion of the BRICS group.
Finally, the features of this comprehensive strategic partnership between Egypt and China are highlighted within the framework of the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. This is evident in their supportive stances towards the Global South, their defense of the economic and developmental interests of developing countries, and their efforts to confront challenges. Here, the two countries jointly address the common challenges facing the Global South, most notably debt burdens, the conditions imposed by international financial institutions, and the urgent need for equitable technology transfer and localization within the Global South, along with training for its citizens and skilled workforce. Egypt and China also advocate for international institutional reform, calling for fair representation of the Global South in international institutions and reform of the United Nations system to ensure that the voices and issues of developing countries are heard. Furthermore, Egyptian-Chinese coordination in international forums and alliances, and support for collective action in defense of the Global South’s voices, are key aspects of this partnership. Cairo and Beijing strengthen their close coordination through multilateral organizations and frameworks, such as the BRICS group and the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), to bolster South-South cooperation. While preserving the shared historical, civilizational, and cultural heritage between them, this cooperation between Egypt and China reflects an extension of their shared historical relations. Both countries were founding members of the Non-Aligned Movement, which supported the interests of developing countries and the Global South in previous historical periods. This highlights China’s political and strategic support for Egypt’s pivotal role. Beijing views Egypt as a highly important political and strategic player and a crucial gateway for dialogue with the Arab and Islamic worlds and Africa. Furthermore, Egypt has political confidence in China’s leading global role and thus strongly supports Chinese global initiatives (security, development, civilization, and global governance) as well as all other Chinese visions and initiatives aimed at building a multilateral international system while consistently emphasizing the One China principle.
Accordingly, the Egyptian-Chinese rapprochement is highlighted on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, within the framework of growing Chinese investments in Egypt and joint cooperation under China’s Belt and Road Initiative. This makes the partnership between the two countries a model to be emulated in cooperation among countries of the Global South and in defending a multipolar international order against policies of hegemony, unilateralism, and protectionism.
