BEIJING, May 30 – On May 30, President Xi Jinping exchanged congratulatory messages with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Xi Jinping noted that Egypt was one of the first Arab and African countries to establish diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China. Over the past 70 years, regardless of changes in the international and regional situation, the two countries have always respected each other, treated each other as equals, trusted each other, and supported each other. The China-Egypt relationship has become a model of friendly coexistence and solidarity and cooperation among developing countries, as well as a benchmark for collective cooperation between China and Arab states and between China and Africa. It is moving forward steadily toward the goal of building a community with a shared future for the new era. Both China and Egypt are ancient civilizations and important members of the Global South. They should draw wisdom and strength from history, shoulder the mission of pursuing peace, seeking development, promoting cooperation, and upholding justice, and inject strong impetus into building a community with a shared future for mankind.

Xi Jinping emphasized that he attaches great importance to the development of China-Egypt relations and is willing to work with President el-Sisi to take the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations as a new starting point, carry forward traditional friendship, strengthen exchanges and cooperation in various fields, and make the China-Egypt relationship more strategically leading, developmentally cohesive, and internationally influential, so as to better benefit the two peoples and contribute more to international and regional peace and development.

El-Sisi stated that Egypt and China have stood shoulder to shoulder in all historical periods. Over the past 70 years, under the joint leadership of the two countries’ leaders, Egypt-China relations have continued to develop. He expressed appreciation for the important achievements in Egypt-China relations and looked forward to working with President Xi Jinping to continue promoting more fruitful results in bilateral relations, jointly building a more stable multipolar world capable of addressing global challenges, so that all countries can share the fruits of comprehensive development and achieve peace and security together.

On the same day, Premier Li Qiang exchanged congratulatory messages with Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly. Li Qiang stated that China is willing to work with Egypt to fully implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, accelerate the high-quality joint construction of the Belt and Road Initiative, strengthen exchanges and cooperation in various fields, and continuously promote the development of the China-Egypt comprehensive strategic partnership, better benefiting the two peoples.

Madbouly stated that over the past 70 years, Egypt-China relations have made significant progress, and bilateral cooperation has achieved unprecedented results. Egypt looks forward to continuing to strengthen cooperation with China and achieving more accomplishments in areas such as economy and technology, benefiting the two friendly countries and their peoples.

China

China is one of the world’s oldest continuous civilizations, with a recorded history spanning over 3,500 years. It was home to ancient dynasties such as the Shang, Zhou, and Qin, the latter unifying the country and beginning the construction of the Great Wall. Today, China is known for its rich cultural heritage, including iconic sites like the Forbidden City and the Terracotta Army, as well as its rapid modern development.

Egypt

Egypt is a country in Northeast Africa, renowned for its ancient civilization and monumental architecture, including the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. Its history dates back over 5,000 years, with the rise of the pharaohs and the unification of Upper and Lower Egypt around 3100 BCE. Today, Egypt is a cultural crossroads, blending its Pharaonic, Greco-Roman, and Islamic heritage with modern urban life.

Global South

The “Global South” is a term used to describe countries in Asia, Africa, Latin America, and Oceania that are often characterized by lower income, developing economies, and a history of colonialism or marginalization. Its origins trace back to Cold War-era concepts like the “Third World,” but the term gained prominence in the late 20th century to highlight shared geopolitical and economic challenges rather than strict geography. Today, it serves as a framework for discussing inequality, post-colonial development, and South-South cooperation.

Belt and Road Initiative

The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is a global development strategy launched by China in 2013, aimed at enhancing connectivity and cooperation across Asia, Europe, and Africa through infrastructure, trade, and cultural exchange. It revives the ancient Silk Road routes, with a history rooted in over 2,000 years of trade and interaction between China and other civilizations. The initiative has since expanded to include over 150 countries, fostering economic partnerships and mutual development.