“The Belt and Road”—Our Shared Path | Celebrating 70 Years of Diplomatic Relations Between China and Egypt: A Gushing “Hot Spring” Flowing Toward the Future

Source: Jin Yun

Reporter: Zhang Jing, Sun Chang; Design and Production: Wang Shuyao, Fei Teng

The year 2026 marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and African countries, and has also been jointly designated by Chinese and African leaders as the “China–Africa Year of People-to-People and Cultural Exchanges.” As the first Arab and African country to establish diplomatic ties with the People’s Republic of China, Egypt has always been a close friend that offers mutual support and a strategic partner bound by a shared destiny. The China–Egypt TEDA Suez Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone, located in the Suez Canal Economic Zone in Egypt, stands as a shining gem of deepened practical cooperation between the two countries. It bears witness to the ever-strengthening friendship based on mutual benefit and win-win outcomes, and serves as a landmark demonstration project for aligning the Belt and Road Initiative with Egypt’s “Suez Canal Corridor Economic Zone” development.

The year 2026 marks the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and African countries, and the year has also been designated the "China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges" by leaders from both sides. As the first Arab and African nation to establish diplomatic ties with the People’s Republic of China, Egypt has long been a trusted friend and a strategic partner. The China-Egypt TEDA Suez Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone (hereinafter referred to as "TEDA Cooperation Zone"), located in Egypt’s Ain Sokhna, stands as a prime example of deepening practical cooperation between the two countries. It bears witness to the growing China-Egypt friendship built on mutual benefit and win-win cooperation, and has become a landmark project linking the Belt and Road Initiative with Egypt’s Suez Canal Corridor Development Project.

Caption: The China-Egypt TEDA Suez Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone

Fast forward to 2008: the first contingent of resident staff dispatched to Egypt arrived at Sukhna Spring. At that time, this land—later dubbed “the Hot Spring” (Sukhna Spring means “hot spring” in Arabic)—was still a desolate wasteland. Despite immense challenges, the builders persevered, efficiently advancing the development of the industrial park across the arid desert and vividly demonstrating “China Speed” through their concrete actions.

Back in 2008, the first group of resident staff sent to Egypt arrived in Ain Sokhna. At that time, this land, later known as the "Hot Spring", the Arabic meaning of Ain Sokhna, was nothing but the barren desert. The builders overcame countless challenges to accelerate construction of the zone in the Gobi-like terrain, demonstrating “China Speed” through their actions.

At the time, the project management team—led by Cao Hui, Executive Director of the Egyptian Teda Industrial Zone Development Company—consisted of just four employees, tasked with a daunting array of responsibilities within a single year: designing, tendering, constructing, and finishing 70,000 square meters of buildings and 60,000 square meters of infrastructure and landscaping. During the summer, ground temperatures often approached 50 degrees Celsius, and Cao Hui and her colleagues spent day after day shuttling between construction sites, their skin darkened by the scorching sun. Once they removed their sunglasses, each of them looked like an “unusual panda”—with deeply tanned faces and stark white circles around their eyes.

At the time, the project management team, including Cao Hui, executive director of Egypt-TEDA SEZone Development Company, had only four members. They faced a massive task: designing, tendering, constructing, and furnishing 70,000 square meters of buildings, plus 60,000 square meters of infrastructure and landscaping, within one year. In summer, the ground temperature reached nearly 50℃. Day after day, Cao Hui and his colleagues walked the construction site, their skin tanned dark by the scorching sun. When they removed their sunglasses, they looked like “negative pandas”, dark faces with white circles around their eyes.

  Caption: The China-Egypt TEDA Suez Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone

The challenges faced in the early stages of the venture stemmed not only from the harsh natural environment but also from fundamental differences in development philosophies between the Chinese and Egyptian sides. The Chinese team sought to adapt and “replicate” the Tianjin Industrial Park model to Egypt’s specific conditions, yet this approach led to a clash of ideas: the Chinese side adhered to the principle of “building the nest to attract the phoenix,” concentrating resources on major undertakings by prioritizing infrastructure development and establishing robust platforms for growth, with the intention of attracting enterprises only after the supporting facilities were fully in place; by contrast, the Egyptian side adopted a more conservative approach, placing greater emphasis on steady and sustainable development. They preferred to first draw in corporate investment and generate revenue before advancing further with park development, wary that upfront investments might fail to deliver quick returns.

The early days presented challenges not only from the harsh natural environment but also from differing development philosophies between the Chinese and Egyptian teams. The Chinese side sought to adapt and “replicate” TEDA’s successful industrial park model from Tianjin in Egypt, yet quickly ran into conflicting visions. The Chinese team advocated a “build the nest to attract the phoenix” approach, concentrating resources to deliver results by prioritizing infrastructure development and platform building to facilitate business settlement. In contrast, the Egyptian side adopted a more conservative stance, emphasizing steady, incremental growth. They preferred to attract investment and secure returns before further developing the zone, wary that upfront investment might not yield quick payoffs.

Caption: Local workers working in the TEDA SETC Zone

In response to the Egyptian side’s concerns, Cao Hui and her team drew on the successful model of the Tianjin Industrial Park in China, conducting a detailed analysis of the synergistic effects between upfront infrastructure investment and subsequent enterprise settlement and industrial clustering, thereby clearly demonstrating the long-term development value to the Egyptian partners. Fully respecting Egypt’s need for steady and prudent development, they flexibly adjusted their approach to project implementation, proposing a phased, area-by-area rollout of the park’s construction. Priority was given to developing the core zone and enhancing basic supporting facilities, with interim results serving to allay their reservations. Cao Hui also invited Egyptian officials to visit the construction site, enabling them to gain a firsthand understanding of construction standards, progress, and quality, and to witness firsthand the scientific soundness and practical feasibility of the Chinese plan. As tangible results continued to emerge, the advanced concepts underlying the Chinese park development gradually won acceptance and endorsement from the Egyptian side. Through joint consultation and collaborative construction, the two sides reached consensus, laying a solid foundation for the high-quality development of the cooperation zone going forward.

To allay the Egyptian team’s concerns, Cao Hui and his team drew on successful case studies from TEDA’s industrial park in Tianjin, China, to provide a detailed explanation of how early infrastructure investment would attract enterprises and spur industrial growth in the future, thereby helping the Egyptian side clearly recognize the long-term value. In keeping with Egypt’s emphasis on steady development, the Chinese side demonstrated flexibility in adjusting its plans by proposing a phased, sectional approach to the zone’s construction. Priority was given to the core area and essential infrastructure, with tangible progress serving as concrete evidence to address lingering doubts. Cao Hui also invited Egyptian staff to visit the construction site, enabling them to observe firsthand the standards, pace, and quality of the work—thus demonstrating that the Chinese plan was both scientifically sound and practically feasible. As visible results began to materialize, China’s advanced park-development concepts gradually won over and were embraced by the Egyptian team. Through joint consultation and collaborative implementation, the two sides reached a consensus, laying a solid foundation for the zone’s high-quality development.

Caption: Local workers working in the TEDA SETC Zone

Nahla, CEO of the Egypt Teda Industrial Zone Development Company, has grown alongside this land. From a fresh university graduate to the Egyptian “leader” in charge of investment and operations in the zone’s expansion area, she has personally witnessed how the Belt and Road Initiative has turned one “unexpected” possibility after another into reality. “Sixteen years ago, even buying a bottle of water or a few snacks here was extremely difficult,” Nahla said, her words brimming with emotion. Today, however, the industrial zone boasts four-star hotels and a full range of service facilities, making it a welcoming home for investors, business partners, and park employees alike. In her view, the implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative has propelled the zone’s leapfrog development, fostering an open, inclusive, and diverse industrial ecosystem. For instance, Giant Stone Egypt Fiberglass Co., Ltd., based within the zone, has leveraged high-tech “Made in China” products to help Egypt—once not a producer of glass fiber—rise to become the world’s fourth-largest glass-fiber producer, thereby filling a critical industrial gap across the Middle East and even Africa. The zone’s robust growth has also spurred development in surrounding areas, creating a virtuous cycle with Egypt’s New Administrative Capital, Suez New City, and Port Said, transforming what was once a remote region into one of Africa’s—and indeed the world’s—premier investment destinations.

Growing alongside this land is Nahla, CEO of the TEDA Special Area Development Company of Egypt. From a fresh college graduate to the Egyptian head responsible for investment and operations of the TEDA SETC Zone Extension Zone, she has witnessed firsthand how the Belt and Road Initiative turned “the unexpected” into reality. “Sixteen years ago, you could barely buy a bottle of water or any food here,” Nahla recalls with emotion. Today, the Zone has a four-star hotel and a full range of services, becoming a warm home for investors and zone staff alike. In her view, the Belt and Road Initiative has propelled the Zone’s leap forward, creating an open, inclusive, and diverse industrial ecosystem. For example, Jushi Egypt for Fiberglass Industry S.A.E, with its high-tech “Made in China” products, helped Egypt, once not a fiberglass producing country, become the world’s fourth-largest fiberglass manufacturer, filling the fiberglass industry gap in the Middle East and Africa. The Zone’s growth has also boosted surrounding areas, forming a positive cycle with Egypt’s New Administrative Capital, New Suez City, and Ain Sokhna Port. What was once a remote area has now become one of the top investment destinations in Africa and beyond.

Caption: Tourists visiting the TEDA SETC Zone

Today, the Teda Cooperation Zone has become a benchmark for China–Egypt cooperation and a project that has received the personal attention of President Xi Jinping. During his 2016 visit to Egypt, President Xi unveiled the plaque for Phase II of the zone. Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly likewise hailed it as “an ideal model for the development of industrial parks in Egypt.” To date, the zone has attracted more than 200 enterprises, with total investment reaching approximately US$3.8 billion; cumulative sales have exceeded US$6.6 billion; tax and fee payments have approached US$310 million; and the zone has directly created over 10,000 local jobs. Leading Chinese companies, along with international firms from Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Germany, and other countries, are thriving here, thereby establishing a complete industrial value chain characterized by horizontal clustering and vertical integration into supply chains.

Today, the TEDA SETC Zone has already become the benchmark for China-Egypt cooperation, for which President Xi Jinping has personally expressed his concern. In 2016, President Xi inaugurated the second phase of the Zone during his visit to Egypt. Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly has praised it as “an ideal model for Egypt’s industrial park development.” So far, the Zone has attracted more than 200 enterprises with about $3.8 billion in investment, total sales exceeding $6.6 billion, nearly $310 million in taxes paid, and more than 10,000 local jobs created. Leading Chinese companies and international firms from Egypt, the UAE, Germany, and other nations flourish here, forming a complete industrial chain with “horizontal clusters and vertical linkages.”

Caption: Cultural activities held in the TEDA SETC Zone

Seventy years have passed since China and Egypt established diplomatic relations, and their original aspiration remains as steadfast as ever; the Belt and Road Initiative has advanced steadily and sustainably, writing a new chapter together. The Sino-Egyptian TEDA Suez Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone has risen from the desert, embodying the sweat and wisdom of Chinese and Egyptian builders. It has not only boosted Egypt’s industrialization and filled several critical gaps in its industrial landscape, but also forged a bridge for cultural exchange and mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries. Along the shared path of the Belt and Road, China and Egypt will continue to join hands, ensuring that the “hot spring” of the TEDA Cooperation Zone continues to bubble vigorously, that China–Egypt friendship is passed down from generation to generation through deepened cooperation, and that inexhaustible momentum is injected into the two countries’ profound collaboration and common development in the new era.

Seventy years after the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Egypt, our original aspiration remains steadfast. As the Belt and Road Initiative continues to advance steadily, we are writing new chapters together. Rising from the desert, the China-Egypt TEDA Suez Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone embodies the sweat and wisdom of Chinese and Egyptian builders. It has not only advanced Egypt’s industrialization and filled multiple industrial gaps, but also built a bridge for cultural integration and win-win cooperation between China and Egypt. On this shared journey of the Belt and Road initiative, China and Egypt will continue to move forward hand in hand, making the “Hot Spring” of the TEDA SETC Zone surge with greater vitality, passing down China-Egypt friendship through deepening cooperation, and injecting lasting momentum into comprehensive cooperation and common development in the new era.

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