Xi Pens Signed Article in Egyptian Media

Summary

During his state visit to Egypt on September 1, 2026, President Xi Jinping published a signed article titled "Standing Together Through 70 Years, Embarking on a New Journey" in Egyptian newspapers Al-Ahram, Al-Akhbar, and Al-Gomhuria. The article reviews the seven-decade journey of China-Egypt diplomatic relations, recalling his visit to Egypt a decade ago. It highlights cooperation achievements, including the Suez Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone, Africa's tallest building, the cross-city electrified light rail, and tariff-free access for Egyptian fresh oranges to the Chinese market.

Xi noted that Egypt was the first Arab and African country to sign a cultural cooperation agreement with New China, and Chinese language teaching has been introduced in more than 40 Egyptian secondary schools. He put forward five proposals covering enhanced mutual trust, mutual benefit and win-win outcomes, inter-civilisation exchanges, fairness and justice, and leading China-Arab and China-Africa cooperation, expressing a willingness to deepen the comprehensive strategic partnership with Egypt and advance the building of a China-Egypt community with a shared future.

Commentary

China's engagement in Egypt has shifted from infrastructure investment to rule-setting and market integration. The Suez Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone now hosts over 100 enterprises with cumulative sales exceeding US$3 billion, while Egyptian fresh oranges enjoy tariff-free entry to China, reflecting tangible economic reciprocity. For New Zealand SMEs, competitive pressure is a primary concern.

Through manufacturing clusters in Egypt and Africa's first cross-city light rail, China has strengthened its export reach into the Middle East and North Africa, potentially displacing NZ dairy and meat products in the region. However, this also creates opportunities. Egypt's Vision 2030 aligns with China's Belt and Road Initiative, and logistics efficiency in the Suez Canal Economic Zone is improving.

NZ SMEs can leverage their cold-chain and agritech strengths, using Egypt as a gateway to North Africa and the Middle East. Chinese companies often benefit from policy-backed financing and scale advantages, so NZ SMEs should target niche segments such as specialty dairy and agricultural technology to avoid head-on competition. If the cooperation zone model is widely replicated, regional supply-chain integration will accelerate, and New Zealand businesses need to position themselves early.

Keywords: Xi Jinping, Egypt, signed article, China-Egypt relations, 70th anniversary of diplomatic ties, comprehensive strategic partnership, Suez Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone, inter-civilisation exchanges

Summary in Chinese | 摘要

当地时间2026年9月1日，国家主席习近平在赴埃及进行国事访问之际，于埃及《金字塔报》、《消息报》、《共和国报》发表题为《风雨同舟七十载，踔厉奋发新征程》的署名文章。文章回顾中埃建交70年历程，提及10年前访问埃及，强调两国在苏伊士经贸合作区、非洲第一高楼、城际电气化轻轨等项目上的合作成果，以及埃及鲜橙零关税进入中国市场。习近平指出，埃及是首个同新中国签署文化合作协定的阿拉伯和非洲国家，中文教学已落地埃及40多所中学。

他提出增进互信、互利共赢、文明交流、维护公平正义、引领中阿中非合作等五点主张，愿同埃方深化全面战略伙伴关系，推进中埃命运共同体建设。

Commentary in Chinese | 评论

中国在埃及的布局已超越基建投资，进入规则与市场融合阶段。苏伊士经贸合作区累计吸引超百家企业、销售额逾30亿美元，埃及鲜橙零关税入华，均显示经贸互惠的实质化。对新西兰中小企业，首先需警惕竞争挤压：中国通过埃及的制造业集群和非洲首条城际轻轨，强化了对中东北非的出口辐射，可能替代新西兰乳制品、肉类在该地区的份额。

其次，这也打开了一扇窗：埃及“2030愿景”与中国“一带一路”对接，苏伊士运河经济区物流效率提升，NZ SME可利用其冷链和农业技术优势，以埃及为支点进入北非和中东市场。但中国企业常携政策性融资与规模优势，NZ SME应聚焦特种乳制品、农业科技等细分赛道，避免正面冲突。泰达合作区的模式若广泛复制，区域供应链整合将加速，新西兰企业需提前卡位。

关键词: 习近平, 埃及, 署名文章, 中埃关系, 建交70周年, 全面战略伙伴关系, 苏伊士经贸合作区, 文明交流

Source: Embassy of the People's Republic of China in New Zealand