Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly receives his Chinese counterpart Li Qiang in Cairo. Egyptian Cabinet
According to the Chinese Foreign Ministry, the trade balance between Egypt and China in 2024 amounted to $17.378 billion. However, the ministry noted that the balance tilts sharply towards China, whose exports to Egypt in 2024 constituted 96 percent ($16.8 billion) of the trade balance as opposed to Egyptian exports, which comprised just 3.3 percent ($578 million).
Madbouly's remarks came during a meeting in Cairo with his Chinese counterpart Li Qiang to discuss strengthening cooperation in various fields further.
The Egyptian FM emphasised the high quality of Egyptian products and their strong presence in global markets in North America, Latin America, Europe, and Africa.
According to the Egyptian cabinet, he also said he looked forward to seeing specific Chinese industries move their operations to Egypt to enhance local production of finished goods rather than fully importing them from China.
Furthermore, Madbouly affirmed that the state stands ready to provide Chinese firms looking to set up manufacturing in Egypt with every form of support.
He also hoped that Chinese companies and institutions in Egypt would expand their investments, benefiting from Egypt's free trade agreements with Arab countries, Africa, and Europe.
Moreover, the Egyptian FM commended China's vital role in supporting Egypt's development efforts through Chinese companies' active involvement in implementing major national projects in Egypt.
He also expressed Egypt's desire to enter a new era of partnership with China focused on localising industrial production, transferring Chinese technology, and utilising China's strong capabilities in these fields.
Egypt-China strategic partnership
During the talks, Chinese PM Li Qiang noted that his country was keen on increasing Egyptian exports' presence in the Chinese market. He also noted that several measures have already been implemented in that respect.
Furthermore, Qiang affirmed China's commitment to enhancing financial and investment ties with Egypt in several sectors, including renewable energy, manufacturing, artificial intelligence, and digital economy.
He also expressed China's desire to broaden cultural, humanitarian, and media cooperation with Egypt.
Praising Egypt's remarkable progress, Qiang said he had personally witnessed Egyptians' significant development efforts in recent years. "We are fully prepared to support Egypt's development in every possible way," the Chinese premier said.
Similarly, Qiang highlight that 2024 marked a decade since Egypt and China upgraded their relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership. He also noted that 2026 will commemorate 70 years since the two nations established diplomatic ties.
In addition, the two sides witnessed the signing of several agreements to enhance cooperation in various fields.
According to the Egyptian State Information Service (SIS), China is Egypt's third-largest trading partner globally.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry stated that in 2024, the trade volume between Egypt and China reached $2.68 billion in the first quarter of the 2024/2025 fiscal year.
Middle East crises
According to the Egyptian cabinet, Madbouly and Qiang also discussed several issues of mutual interest and current regional and international geopolitical challenges.
They underscored the need, amidst much global uncertainty, for the international community to actively encourage all parties to conflicts to resolve disputes through dialogue and diplomatic channels.
Addressing the war in Gaza, the Egyptian PM commended China's consistent support for the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, particularly at regional and international platforms such as the UN and the Security Council.
He reaffirmed Egypt's ongoing commitment to close coordination with China—both bilaterally and in multilateral settings—to back the Palestinian people's legitimate right to an independent state over June 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Furthermore, the two sides underlined the pressing need to mobilise international support for implementing the Arab-Islamic plan for early recovery and reconstruction of Gaza.
The Chinese PM, for his part, lauded Egypt's deeply rooted civilisation and extolled its historical role as a strong and leading country that wields significant influence in the Arab world, the region, and Africa.
On Wednesday, Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang arrived in Cairo on an official visit to Egypt, the first to Africa since he assumed office, where he met President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, and senior Egyptian officials.
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