Chinese President Xi Jinping in Egypt: a strategic partnership to achieve sustainable development

President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and his wife, Mrs. Intisar El-Sisi, received the Chinese President “ Xi Jinping” and his wife, on an official visit bearing a historical character that coincides with the seventy years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

It is an important visit that comes in light of the regional and global repercussions taking place in the Middle East region, from continued escalation and worsening humanitarian crises, and amid major transformations that are redrawing the features of the international system and the balance of power in it.

The Chinese President at an official reception ceremony

The official reception ceremony included the lining up of the horses and the launchingArtillery fired twenty-one shots, the honor guard saluted, and the national anthems of the Arab Republic of Egypt and the People’s Republic of China were played.

This was followed by taking a souvenir photo that brought together the two presidents and their wives, in preparation for an expanded discussion session that included the delegations of the two countries, which culminated in the signing of an agreement and a number of memorandums of understanding, then a luncheon hosted by President Sisi in honor of his guest.

This level of official celebration is inseparable from the political message that the two sides wanted to convey: that Egyptian-Chinese relations have reached a stage of maturity that makes them a model of partnership between a major Arab and African country and a major Asian country, in light of a global system witnessing rapid transformations.

Diplomatic establishment in 1956

In his speech duringAt the beginning of the discussions, President Sisi pointed out that Egypt was the first Arab and African country to recognize the People’s Republic of China and establish diplomatic relations with it in 1956. This established a solid foundation that gradually developed until relations between the two countries rose to the status of a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2014.

Egyptian-Chinese Industrial Zone

One of the most prominent things that President Sisi announced during the meeting was the agreement that included the launch of the third phase of the expansion of the Egyptian-Chinese industrial zone in the Suez Canal Economic Zone, to include pivotal sectors such as:

• Renewable Energy
• Automotive industry
• Textile and chemical fibers

This expansion is seen as one of the most prominent indicators of industry localization and technology transfer, a file that Cairo describes as a top priority in its relationship with Beijing. Because of the added value it brings in terms of creating job opportunities and achieving comprehensive economic growth.

Expected economic impact

Economic observers expect that the third phase of expansions will translate into a new wave of direct Chinese investments in Egypt. This enhances the competitiveness of the Suez Canal Economic Zone as a regional center for manufacturing and export.

This expansion is also expected to contribute to deepening local supply chains and reducing dependence on imports in strategic sectors such as the automobile and textile industries, in addition to its positive impact on employment rates in the canal governorates. Which is what makes itOne of the pillars on which Egypt is betting to achieve comprehensive and sustainable economic growth.

Common positions on regional issues

The discussions also extended to a number of regional and international files of common interest, as President Sisi stressed the priority of reducing escalation in the region, respecting the sovereignty of states, and ensuring freedom of international navigation, in a way that spares the peoples of the region the negative consequences of any crisis.

The Palestinian Issue

The discussions also touched on the Palestinian issue, where the President reiterated the necessity of reaching a just settlement in accordance with the decisions of international legitimacy, pointing to Egypt’s efforts to push the implementation of the entitlements of the second phase of the agreement to stop the war in the Gaza Strip,The importance of bringing humanitarian aid and medical equipment into the Strip.

Water and food security

In another vital file directly related to water and food security, President Sisi affirmed the status of the Nile River as Egypt’s main lifeline, and its legitimate right to protect its water and food security, calling on all Nile Basin countries to adhere to the rules of international law, in a reference that carries a direct developmental dimension linked to the goal of clean water.

The Chinese vision: supporting the strategic partnership

For his part, the Chinese President expressed his appreciation for the warm reception, stressing his country’s commitment to implementing the decisions of the comprehensive strategic partnership announced in 2014, and Beijing’s keenness to encourage Chinese companies to increase their investments inThe Egyptian market by taking advantage of its strategic location.

The Chinese President then praised Egypt’s efforts to establish regional stability in the Middle East and Africa, stressing his country’s keenness to enhance joint coordination in international forums, defend the interests of developing countries, and enhance their contribution to shaping the future of the multilateral international system, which intersects with the seventeenth goal of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of strengthening global partnerships.

In light of the above, The Earth Guards Foundation views the visit of the Chinese President with great importance; Because the Egyptian-Chinese partnership opens a wide scope for development projects that leave a tangible impact on the lives of citizens. Accordingly, the Foundation confirms that sustainable development is measured by the success of this partnership, provided that:There must be a balance between society, economy and environment.