Egypt’s State Information Service (SIS) has released a new bilingual book documenting seven decades of relations between Egypt and China, as the two countries mark the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties.
Titled Egyptian-Chinese Relations over 70 Years, the book was published in both Arabic and Chinese and traces the relationship from the formal establishment of diplomatic relations in 1956 to the comprehensive strategic partnership that exists between Cairo and Beijing today.
The publication was released on August 30, shortly before Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visit to Egypt on September 1 and 2, giving the project additional significance as both countries celebrate one of the longest-standing diplomatic relationships between China and the Arab and African worlds.
A 70-Year Journey Between Cairo and Beijing
Egypt and China formally established diplomatic relations on May 30, 1956, making Egypt the first Arab and African country to establish diplomatic ties with the People’s Republic of China.
Since then, the relationship has expanded significantly across political, economic, cultural, scientific and technological fields.
The new SIS publication documents many of the major milestones that shaped that evolution, highlighting how relations developed from traditional diplomatic cooperation into a much broader strategic partnership.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi has described the anniversary as a celebration of ties between two ancient civilizations whose relationship extends beyond modern diplomacy.
In an article published to coincide with the anniversary and Xi’s visit, El-Sisi highlighted Egypt and China’s shared civilizational heritage and their growing cooperation across multiple sectors.
The Book Is Published in Arabic and Chinese
One of the notable elements of Egyptian-Chinese Relations over 70 Years is that it has been released in both Arabic and Chinese.
The bilingual edition reflects the cultural and diplomatic nature of the project, while making the publication accessible to readers in both countries.
According to SIS, the book covers key developments in politics, economics, culture, science and technology, offering a broad overview of how bilateral cooperation has expanded over the past seven decades.
The publication also looks at the transition toward the comprehensive strategic partnership that now forms the foundation of relations between Cairo and Beijing.
Alaa Youssef Highlights the Historical Roots of the Relationship
In the book’s introduction, Ambassador Alaa Youssef, Chairman of Egypt’s State Information Service, emphasizes that relations between Egypt and China are built on more than recent political or economic interests.
He points to the deep historical and civilizational connections between the two countries and the way those ties have developed into modern cooperation.
That historical framing is particularly relevant in 2026, with both governments repeatedly emphasizing the longevity and stability of their relationship.
The anniversary has also been used to highlight the similarities between two countries with ancient civilizations and long histories of cultural exchange.
The Release Coincides With Xi Jinping’s Egypt Visit
The timing of the book’s publication is closely connected to Xi Jinping’s first visit to Egypt in a decade.
Xi arrived in Cairo on September 1 for a two-day state visit at the invitation of President El-Sisi, with the anniversary of diplomatic relations forming an important part of the visit.
During their meetings, the two presidents agreed to further deepen the Egypt-China comprehensive strategic partnership, with discussions covering trade, investment, technology, security and regional and international issues.
The joint communiqué issued after the visit described the relationship as one built on equality, mutual trust, mutual benefit and long-term cooperation.
Egypt-China Cooperation Has Expanded Beyond Diplomacy
Over the past 70 years, Egypt-China relations have grown far beyond formal diplomatic ties.
China has become an increasingly important economic and investment partner for Egypt, with Chinese companies involved in infrastructure, manufacturing, renewable energy and development projects.
Cooperation has been particularly visible in projects connected to the Suez Canal Economic Zone and the New Administrative Capital, while trade between the two countries has continued to expand.
The two countries have also strengthened cooperation in education, technology, culture and scientific research.
Their relationship has become increasingly important within broader international frameworks, including BRICS and China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
Cultural Exchange Remains an Important Part of the Relationship
While economic cooperation often receives the greatest attention, cultural exchange has also played an important role in Egypt-China relations.
Educational programs, language initiatives, publishing projects and cultural events have helped introduce Egyptian and Chinese audiences to one another’s histories and traditions.
The release of a bilingual book documenting the relationship fits directly into that broader effort.
Rather than simply celebrating diplomatic agreements, the publication gives readers a record of how ties between the two countries have developed across multiple generations.
70 Years of Relations — and a New Chapter Ahead
The anniversary comes at a moment when both Egypt and China are seeking to deepen their partnership further.
During his visit, Xi described the relationship as entering a new phase, while El-Sisi similarly emphasized the potential for greater cooperation between the two countries.
The new SIS book therefore serves both as a look back at seven decades of diplomatic history and as a record of the foundation on which future cooperation is being built.
From the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1956 to the comprehensive strategic partnership of today, Egyptian-Chinese Relations over 70 Years documents a relationship that has grown steadily across politics, economics, culture, science and technology.
As Cairo and Beijing celebrate the milestone, the publication offers a detailed look at how 70 years of Egypt-China relations evolved — and where the partnership could go next.
