Analysis by:
Dr. Nadia Helmy
Egyptian expert on Chinese Politics, the policies of the ruling Communist Party of China, and Asian affairs – Professor of Political Science, Beni Suef University
The relationship between Egypt and China represents an advanced strategic model of cooperation among developing countries in the new era. It is based on shared visions of supporting the interests of developing nations and reforming the structure of international economic and political governance. This relationship forms a fundamental pillar for supporting developing countries in building a (community with a shared future, and it bolsters China's diplomacy as a major power with Chinese characteristics in the new era). The phrase “major power with Chinese characteristics in the new era” refers to the People's Republic of China and its contemporary political and developmental approach under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, aimed at modernization and building a community with a shared future for mankind. Egypt supports this approach through a comprehensive strategic partnership and mutual political and economic coordination. The bilateral relationship between Egypt and China represents a comprehensive and deeply rooted strategic partnership spanning 70 years. It plays a pivotal role in supporting the issues of the Global South and reforming the international economic and political system. Both countries reject sharp international polarization and support stability and peaceful solutions to regional and Arab issues. The importance of Sino-Egyptian relations for the Global South is highlighted by the following:
First: The developmental integration between the Chinese and Egyptian visions, given the partnership between China's Belt and Initiative and Egypt's Vision 2030
The two countries cooperate within the BRICS group and international organizations to defend the interests of developing countries, multilateralism, and the issues of the Global South, as well as to coordinate internationally on various issues. Furthermore, both countries have adopted the cause of global financial reform, agreeing on finding solutions to the debt crisis and reforming international financial institutions and the United Nations. Considering the importance of developmental integration between the Chinese and Egyptian visions, given the partnership between China's Belt and Road Initiative and Egypt's Vision 2030, the Chinese initiative is integrated with Egyptian development plans, particularly in the Suez Canal Economic Zone, to transform Egypt into a global logistics hub for implementing major Chinese projects, such as the TEDA Industrial Estate in northwest Suez Canal at Ain Sokhna, and Chinese projects to develop Egyptian infrastructure and ports. In addition to Chinese cooperation with Egypt in the fields of biotechnology, renewable energy, and infrastructure to ensure self-sufficiency.
Second: Joint Chinese-Egyptian efforts to reform the international system and build a more equitable multipolar world order for developing countries, with complete agreement on the “One China” principle and China's support for Egypt's legitimate rights to protect its water security
The official Egyptian and Chinese positions are completely aligned in supporting the shared political and sovereign issues between the two countries, coinciding with joint Chinese-Egyptian efforts to reform the international system and build a more equitable multipolar world order for developing countries. Here, political cooperation between Egypt and China is highlighted by complete agreement on the One China principle, with Taiwan considered part of the Chinese mainland. Egypt consistently affirms its unwavering commitment to this principle, considering Taiwan an integral part of Chinese territory and the motherland. China supports Egypt's legitimate rights to protect its water security and calls for a negotiated solution to the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) crisis. We observe the extensive and ongoing coordination between Egypt and China in defending the interests of the Global South within groups such as BRICS, Egypt's observer and dialogue partner status in the “Shanghai Cooperation Organisation” (SCO), and Egypt's diplomacy in Sino-African-Arab cooperation through its membership in both the “Forum on China-Africa Cooperation” (FOCAC) and the “Forum on China-Arab Cooperation”. This Egyptian-Chinese coordination is particularly evident in their efforts to drive development in Africa and position Egypt as a hub for the transfer and localization of Chinese technology. Furthermore, it is crucial to build a unified Egyptian-Chinese front to protect the interests of the Middle East region and secure global trade routes in international straits and waterways, including the Red Sea, the Suez Canal, the Strait of Hormuz, and the Bab El-Mandeb Strait, especially in the aftermath of the Iran War.
Third: Egypt's full support for Chinese global initiatives (global development, global security, and global dialogue of civilizations) in defense of the interests of the Global South and to build a community with a shared future for mankind
China leads numerous international initiatives for the benefit of developing countries in the Global South, given its growing economic and political relations with these countries. These initiatives are driven by the Belt and Road Initiative and the development initiatives launched by Chinese President “Xi Jinping” for the benefit of the Global South, such as the (Global Development, Global Security, and Global Dialogue of Civilizations) initiatives. Egypt supports these global Chinese initiatives in defense of the interests of the Global South. China considers itself an influential power in the Global South and seeks to build a new world order that reflects the political, economic, and climate interests of these countries. China uses diplomacy to strengthen its relations with countries of the Global South, in accordance with its policy of major power diplomacy with Chinese characteristics in the new era. China advocates for peaceful solutions to conflicts and cooperates with countries of the Global South, including Egypt, in addressing common challenges. Here, Egypt, under the leadership of President “Abdel Fattah El-Sisi”, consistently expresses its support for China's vision of building a more just and multilateral global order. Chinese initiatives play a key role in shaping a new vision for South-South cooperation and achieving shared economic development, with Egypt's full support for defending the interests of the Global South. Examples include China's Global Development Initiative, launched to support the UN Sustainable Development Goals, focusing on eradicating poverty, improving food security, and supporting the green transition and digital innovation in developing countries. Egypt also fully supports President Xi Jinping's initiative and call for a “community with a shared future for mankind”, which advocates cooperation over conflict, emphasizes respect for national sovereignty and rejects hegemony, and encourages the sharing of development benefits among all peoples.
Fourth: Cairo and Beijing agreed on the seriousness of the debt crisis, which hinders development in developing countries, and the necessity of confronting the restrictions and conditions imposed by international financial institutions and reducing unilateral dominance in the financial and monetary system
Cooperation between Egypt and China to amplify the voice of the Global South under these critical circumstances is a true extension of the shared historical relations between the two countries. As founding members of the “Non-Aligned Movement”, which supported the interests of developing countries during the Cold War, Egypt and China agreed to continue this cooperation to strengthen the voice of the Global South in order to safeguard the interests of developing nations. Especially since the formation of the global order following World War II, developing countries and the developing Global South have suffered from structural imbalances on various levels. This is compounded by the numerous emerging challenges stemming from successive global crises, as well as the escalation of geopolitical and economic tensions to dangerous levels, particularly in the current climate. Unfortunately, there is a double standard in the Western and American approaches to addressing many international issues concerning developing countries of the Global South. Among the most prominent issues of the Global South within the Egyptian-Chinese partnership are the debt crisis and development financing. Cairo and Beijing agree on the severity of the debt crisis, which hinders development in developing countries, and the necessity of confronting the restrictions and conditions imposed by international financial institutions and reducing unilateral dominance in the financial and monetary system. Both countries call for reform of the international system, the United Nations, and the Security Council to ensure fair representation for African, Asian, and Arab countries of the Global South and to amplify their voices within global decision-making bodies. Both countries advocate for equitable trade and technology transfer, emphasizing the importance of transferring modern technology and supporting the productive capacities of developing countries to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
Fifth: The “Multi-Alliance” Strategy Between Egypt and China to Counter International Double Standards and Build a More Balanced and Just Global Order Through Strengthening South-South Cooperation
The “Multi-Alliance” strategy between Egypt and China is a practical model for countering international double standards. It aims to build a more balanced and just global order by strengthening South-South cooperation. This strategy is achieved through several key pillars, most importantly (the Egyptian-Chinese consensus on breaking the hegemony of a single power, balanced diplomacy, and diversifying partners). This is based on Egypt and China's rejection of the policy of “closed alliances”, and they are working together to build flexible, multilateral partnerships to protect national interests and support international justice by coordinating positions in international forums, such as the United Nations, to defend the issues of the Global South and reject interference in internal affairs under the pretext of human rights. This led China to support Egypt's joining new economic blocs, such as the BRICS group. Egypt's official accession to the group (with strong Chinese support) represents a strategic step to reduce dependence on Western hegemony and the dollar system. Egypt also supports the “New Development Bank” (NDB), which aims to provide accessible development financing alternatives for developing countries, free from the politicized conditions of traditional financial institutions.
Accordingly, Egyptian-Chinese cooperation is witnessing a comprehensive and growing strategic partnership, coinciding with the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries and the visit of Chinese President “Xi Jinping” to Egypt. This visit opens the door to discussing new economic and strategic issues. Especially given the agreement between the leaderships of both countries to support each other and the issues of the Global South in all international and multilateral forums, discussions will focus on high-level planning for China's Belt and Road Initiative and the integration of development visions between Egypt and other countries of the Global South with China's global development, security, and cultural initiatives, to elevate relations towards the goal of “building a community with a shared future in the new era”.