The launch of the “Egypt 2026 Forum” in the New Administrative Capital (from October 19 to 24, 2026) has garnered significant attention from Chinese think tanks and strategic and political circles. This is due to the alignment of the forum’s mechanisms and objectives with Beijing’s political and economic philosophy in managing public affairs and formulating development policies. The “Egypt 2026 Forum,” held in the New Administrative Capital, is receiving exceptional attention from Chinese think tanks and strategic circles, who view it as a parallel model reflecting their own development philosophy. Chinese analysis of the forum focuses on several key dimensions, comparing it to Beijing’s political, economic, social, and popular mechanisms. The analysis by Chinese advisory and strategic circles focuses on deconstructing the dimensions of the forum and comparing it with similar Chinese political and developmental experiences and mechanisms through the following axes:
– First: The Chinese Strategic Analysis of the “Egypt 2026 Forum”
Chinese think tanks, such as the “Chinese Academy of Social Sciences” (CASS) and the “China Institute of Contemporary International Relations” (CICIR), believe that this forum represents a significant strategic shift in Egyptian political management through:
1) Moving from “presentation” to “actual evaluation”: Emphasizing the importance of measuring the impact of previous national and developmental projects on the actual standard of living of citizens, rather than merely showcasing digital achievements.
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2) Participatory policymaking: Viewing the forum as a tool for testing alternatives and reaching a “shared understanding” that reduces the gap between ambitious development plans and the daily reality of citizens.
3) Strategic Planning for the Future (Vision 2030): Linking the forum’s outcomes to the long-term economic program until 2030, thus giving it an institutional dimension that transcends its role as a mere temporary dialogue platform.
– Second: Similarities between the Egypt 2026 Forum and Similar Chinese Experiences and Mechanisms
Chinese political circles find significant structural and functional similarities between the objectives of the “Egypt 2026 Forum” and several established mechanisms and concepts within the Chinese governance system. A comparison can be drawn by focusing on the Chinese mechanism/concept and then understanding the similarities with the “Egypt 2026 Forum” through the following:
1) The Chinese Mechanism/Concept (Whole-Process People’s Democracy in China)
The Chinese experience is based on the participation of citizens and experts in the stages of policy formulation, implementation, and evaluation. This is similar to the Egyptian experience in the “Egypt 2026 Forum,” in terms of the Egyptian emphasis on direct communication and community oversight. This also aligns with the Egyptian Forum’s efforts to open broader channels of communication between the government and citizens to assess the impact of policies and monitor challenges.
2) The Chinese Mechanism/Concept (Conference of the People’s Political Consultative Conference) “CPPCC”
The Chinese experience is based on the idea of “diversity among the various ethnicities and groups of the Chinese people.” The Chinese conference includes experts, academics, and representatives of different societal sectors to discuss the state’s priorities before their adoption. This is similar to the organizational structure of the Egyptian Forum sessions, which bring together officials, experts, the private sector, and political parties and ensure a diversity of platforms for partisan and societal dialogue.
3) The Chinese Mechanism/Concept (Mass Line)
The Chinese experience is based on an important strategic societal principle: “from the masses to the masses.” This is clearly reflected in the similar Egyptian experience, with President El-Sisi’s call for direct listening to citizens’ opinions on issues affecting their lives, identifying existing gaps, and addressing citizens’ daily concerns.
4) The Chinese Mechanism/Concept (Economic Impact Assessment and Livelihood Improvement) (Minosheng)
The Chinese experience is based on the societal and party focus in its recent five-year plans—every five years—on the quality of growth and improving citizens’ lives, rather than just rapid numerical growth. This is very similar to the focus of the first day of the Egyptian Forum on “human development” and the macroeconomic issues aimed at improving quality of life and transitioning to sustainability and comprehensive development.
– This can be understood and summarized through the following table, which was designed by the Egyptian researcher, as follows:
| The Chinese mechanism/concept | Similarities with the “Egypt 2026 Forum” |
| Whole-Process People’s Democracy | Direct communication and community oversight: The Chinese experience is based on involving citizens and experts in the stages of policy formulation, implementation, and evaluation. This aligns with the forum’s efforts to open broader channels of communication between the government and citizens to assess the impact of policies and monitor challenges |
| The Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) | The diversity of platforms for partisan and societal dialogue: The Chinese conference includes experts, academics, and representatives from various societal sectors to discuss state priorities before their adoption. This is similar to the organizational structure of the Egyptian forum sessions, which bring together officials, experts, the private sector, and political parties |
| Mass Line | Listening to citizens’ daily concerns: a strategic Chinese principle that states “from the people and to the people”. This is clearly reflected in President El-Sisi’s call to listen directly to citizens’ opinions on issues affecting their lives and to identify existing gaps |
| Economic Impact Assessment and Livelihood Improvement (Minosheng) | Transitioning to Sustainability and Inclusive Development: In its recent five-year plans, China has focused on the quality of growth and improving citizens’ lives, rather than just rapid numerical growth. This is very similar to the focus of the first day of the forum on “human development” and macroeconomic policies aimed at improving quality of life |
- Third: Joint Evaluation and Follow-up Mechanisms for Chinese Think Tanks and Analyses for the Egypt 2026 Forum
Chinese think tanks highlight a key shared objective: “transforming discussions into actionable plans.” The Egypt Forum relies on producing workshops, timelines, and measurable indicators, which aligns with “Beijing’s rigorous evaluation and follow-up” mechanisms. These mechanisms ensure the implementation of recommendations from national meetings and their transformation into binding legislation and government policies. This represents the cornerstone for guaranteeing the conversion of theoretical ideas and discussions into actionable plans and binding legislation on the ground. This cooperation reflects the desire of both the Egyptian and Chinese sides to move beyond traditional forum formats towards a rigorous, results-oriented model based on quantifiable indicators. The dimensions of these joint mechanisms and how Egyptian and Chinese visions converge can be summarized in the following points:
1) In terms of formulating joint implementation frameworks, this is achieved through:
– Sectoral workshops: Breaking down the general recommendations issued by the forum into specific sectoral projects, such as clean energy, technology, and infrastructure, through workshops that bring together experts from both countries.
– Rigorous timelines: Establishing specific timelines with clear durations (short, medium, and long-term) for implementing each recommendation, thus preventing the dilution of decisions.
– Key Performance Indicators (KPIs): Designing measurable quantitative and qualitative indicators to accurately monitor progress.
2) Transferring Chinese expertise in “monitoring and evaluation,” where:
The Chinese management school is characterized by rigorous evaluation mechanisms that ensure the transformation of the outputs of national and research conferences into government policies. This includes:
– Legislative obligation: Formulating recommendations into legal frameworks or policy drafts that are submitted directly to decision-makers for integration into national plans.
– Accountability and Oversight: Linking the efficiency of executive bodies to their commitment to implementing the outputs, a method that think tanks seek to promote in the outputs of the Egypt Forum.
3) The Joint Roles of Think Tanks in Monitoring and Evaluation:
The role of Chinese think tanks and their counterparts in ensuring the success of any developmental or societal initiatives includes:
– Issuing Periodic Reports: Preparing joint quarterly or semi-annual evaluation reports to monitor progress in implementing the recommendations of the Egypt Forum 2026.
– Identifying Developmental Gaps: Rapid research intervention to provide solutions and remedies in case any of the agreed-upon implementation paths falter.
– Fourth: Linking Chinese think tanks and strategic and political circles between the concept of long-term central planning in China and the new republic in Egypt under President “El-Sisi”
The Chinese strategic vision is based on linking the goals of the Egypt 2026 Forum with the concept of “Chinese-style modernization” through:
1) The Chinese model: The Chinese Communist Party relies on the “Five-Year Plan” as a sacred tool for formulating development policies and managing public affairs.
2) The Egyptian approach: Chinese circles see the Egypt 2026 Forum as a platform that translates “Egypt Vision 2030” and the goals of the “New Republic” into implementation mechanisms, which represents a complete intersection with the idea of strict central planning led by the state apparatus to achieve sustainable stability.
– Fifth: The focus of Chinese think tanks and analysts on infrastructure and major national projects in the discussions of the Egypt 2026 Forum and their comparison with similar Chinese development experiences
The selection of the New Administrative Capital as the venue for the Egypt 2026 Forum sends a highly significant message to Chinese analysts in terms of:
1) The Chinese model: For decades, Beijing has adopted a strategy of “infrastructure-driven growth,” as evidenced in cities like Shenzhen and the Xiong’an New Area.
2) The Egyptian approach: Chinese think tanks are studying the Egyptian urban development boom as a strategic counterpart to their own model. They believe that the similar Egyptian forum reinforces the concept that massive infrastructure development is the primary driver of job creation and attracting foreign direct investment.
– Sixth: Analysis of Chinese Strategic Circles on the Concepts of Administrative Governance Management and Human and Professional Development in Egypt and China
The strategic circles focus on the mechanisms of public affairs management discussed by the Egyptian Forum through:
1) The Chinese Model: China relies on a system of rigorous administrative efficiency and the training of political and executive cadres through party and governmental academies, such as the Academy of the Communist Party of China.
2) The Egyptian Approach: The focus of the Egyptian Forum 2026 on developing human capital, administrative reform, and empowering young leaders intersects with the Chinese philosophy, which believes that the efficiency of the state’s administrative apparatus is the only guarantee for the success of any economic plan.
– Seventh: Egypt’s Sustainable Development Experience under President El-Sisi and its Integration with China’s Belt and Road Initiative
Beijing sees the economic dimensions of the Egypt 2026 Forum as an opportunity to deepen its comprehensive strategic partnership with Egypt, through:
1) The Chinese Model: Through the Belt and Road Initiative and its “Global Development Initiative” (GDI), China seeks to formulate development policies that transcend traditional Western models by sharing its experiences in developing countries, particularly Egypt, and supporting Egypt’s path to sustainable development.
2) The Egyptian Approach: Chinese circles are exploring how to align the outcomes of the Egyptian Forum with Chinese projects in the Suez Canal Economic Zone. The Chinese consider the Egypt 2026 Forum an opportunity to establish development policies rooted in the unique characteristics of developing countries, independent of Western and American political constraints.
Accordingly, we understand that the Egypt 2026 Forum is primarily a purely Egyptian national event, organized by the Egyptian state to discuss development paths and the future of economic and social sectors, with broad local participation. Its outcomes and investment interests intersect with the strategic partnership between Egypt and China, which has prompted Chinese think tanks and strategic analysis centers to analyze all its aspects and their intersections with the similar Chinese experience, with the aim of benefiting from the Egyptian model and generalizing it to other countries of the Global South.
