China Daily | “Answers Emerging from the Desert” — The Silk Road Connects Civilizations, and China–Egypt Have Co‑Created a New Vision for Development Over Seven Decades

Source: China Daily Online

This year marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Egypt. As the first Arab and African country to establish ties with the People’s Republic of China, Egypt and China have forged a bond that spans millennia along the ancient Silk Road. Over the past seven decades, amid shifting global dynamics, they have built a model of mutually beneficial cooperation rooted in political mutual trust, anchored by pragmatic partnerships, and enriched by the exchange and mutual learning of civilizations—paving the way for other countries of the Global South.

From infrastructure assistance to industrial self-sustaining development

In 2016, the two countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding on jointly building the Belt and Road Initiative, and in 2024 they further adopted a cooperation plan to align the Belt and Road Initiative with Egypt’s Vision 2030, underscoring a steadily growing strategic synergy.

The Sino‑Egypt Tianjin Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone stands as the most vivid testament to pragmatic China–Egypt cooperation. In 2008, a four‑person team broke ground on a desolate stretch of coastline along the Red Sea; today, the zone spans more than 10 square kilometers, hosts over 200 resident enterprises, has attracted cumulative investments exceeding US$4.7 billion, and generated sales of more than US$7.3 billion. During his visit in August 2025, Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly hailed it as a model of successful bilateral investment.

This is a scene from the Sino-Egyptian Teda Suez Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone, captured in Egypt’s Suez Governorate. Photo source: Xinhua News Agency.

China–Egypt cooperation has shifted from the earlier “blood‑transfusion‑style” infrastructure assistance to a “blood‑creation‑style” approach focused on industrial development and technology transfer. Chinese enterprises no longer merely undertake construction projects; they now build factories, establish supply chains, and transfer advanced technologies. Jushi Egypt produces 360,000 tons of glass fiber annually, making it Africa’s largest fiberglass manufacturing base, with 98% of its workforce drawn from local talent and generating roughly US$100 million in foreign exchange each year. Xinxing Cast Pipe boasts an annual production capacity of 250,000 tons, supplying Egypt’s water‑distribution networks while also exporting to the Middle East, Africa, and Europe. Enterprises within the cooperation zones are filling critical gaps in supply chains across sectors such as new energy, advanced equipment, and automotive components, helping Egypt transition from import dependence to an export‑oriented economy.

Media reporters climbed to the observation deck of the landmark tower in Cairo’s New Administrative Capital’s Central Business District for a panoramic view. Photo source: People’s Daily.

The news commentary website Middle East Broadcasting Network (MBN) reported that, beyond industrial parks, landmark achievements of China–Egypt cooperation can be found across Egypt: the central business district of the New Administrative Capital, built by Chinese contractors, has redefined Africa’s skyline with its 385.8-meter “Landmark Tower”; the October 6 City light rail links Cairo with emerging industrial cities; and in December 2023, China successfully launched the “EgyptSat‑2” satellite, making Egypt the first African country to possess fully indigenous capabilities for satellite final assembly, integration, and testing…

Teach a man to fish: fostering indigenous development momentum.

As large-scale industrialization advances, talent development has been placed at the heart of cooperation. The TEDA Cooperation Zone has created more than 10,000 direct jobs, with local employees accounting for over 90 percent of the workforce. The goal extends beyond mere employment; it aims to equip Egyptian workers with the skills needed to take on higher‑value roles. Today, Egyptian staff are increasingly filling positions in smart manufacturing, quality control, finance, management, and other fields.

Leveraging the Luban Workshop initiative, the cooperation zone has established an employment‑training base and sent its employees to China for training; some trainees have already been promoted to managerial positions. A vocational education and training center in the Suez Canal Economic Zone, supported by China, has also been confirmed to be located there, offering programs in mechanical engineering, renewable energy, industrial robotics, telecommunications, and other fields. In the next phase, the cooperation zone will prioritize attracting low‑carbon, environmentally friendly enterprises, implement digital customs and logistics services, and develop a cross‑border RMB settlement mechanism.

Mutual Learning Among Civilizations: Strengthening People-to-People Ties

China and Egypt are both ancient civilizations. More than four thousand years ago, as the pyramids rose along the banks of the Nile, early civilizations in the Yangtze and Yellow River valleys were flourishing; eventually, these two great civilizations were linked by the Silk Road.

This timeless resonance is now sparking a wave of exchanges across tourism, education, archaeology, culture, and other fields. The Shanghai Museum’s major exhibition “At the Summit of the Pyramids: Ancient Egyptian Civilization” has drawn more than 2.77 million visitors; in 2025, Chinese tourists traveling to Egypt numbered 360,000, up 20% year on year; Egyptian attractions have expanded Chinese-language services, while direct flights and e-visas have made travel between the two countries even more convenient.

Kandil, a scholar at Egypt’s Center for Political and Strategic Studies, describes China–Egypt relations as “a story of two civilizations rediscovering one another in an ever‑changing world.” It is this shared civilizational resonance that underpins the deep‑seated foundation enabling bilateral cooperation to endure through seven decades of challenges and emerge stronger with time.

The nine-month-long “Grand Exhibition of Ancient Egyptian Civilization” recently came to a close, with visitors at the Hong Kong Palace Museum rushing to catch a final glimpse of the exhibits before the show’s closure. Photo source: China Daily.

On August 30, Egypt’s Al-Ahram Online cited an analysis by Professor Amira El-Shenawy, a specialist in political science and international relations, noting that over the past few decades, Egypt–China cooperation has expanded from infrastructure and cultural exchanges to emerging fields such as advanced technologies, artificial intelligence, renewable energy, and electric‑vehicle manufacturing, reflecting a high degree of political mutual trust and strategic alignment. Looking ahead, the two countries are poised to achieve new breakthroughs in technology localization, technology transfer, and advanced manufacturing. This cooperative model—grounded in mutual respect, shared interests, and sustainable development—is injecting much‑needed stability and positive momentum into a world marked by turbulence and profound change.

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