Xinhua Commentary: Forging ahead toward China-Egypt community with shared future in new era

CAIRO, Sept. 1 (Xinhua) -- As China and Egypt mark the 70th anniversary of diplomatic ties, Chinese President Xi Jinping's state visit to Egypt is set to inject fresh impetus into bilateral relations and further advance the building of a China-Egypt community with a shared future in the new era. The seven-decade journey of China-Egypt relations is a powerful testament to what solidarity and cooperation can achieve. Over the years, the two countries have steadily strengthened their ties despite shifts in the regional and global landscape, maintained close coordination on international affairs, supported each other on issues of mutual interest, and expanded practical cooperation, making their partnership a model of amity, solidarity and cooperation among developing countries. That spirit of solidarity was evident from the very beginning of their diplomatic ties. In the early years of the People's Republic of China, Beijing supported Egypt's efforts to reclaim sovereignty over the Suez Canal. In 1971, Cairo voted in favor of restoring the People's Republic of China's lawful seat at the United Nations. The two peoples also stood together in the struggle against colonialism and hegemonism, laying a solid foundation for a friendship that has endured for seven decades. In recent years, China-Egypt relations have been deepening under the guidance of the two heads of state and are now at their best in history. For over a decade, Xi and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi have met more than 10 times, providing strategic guidance for the continued expansion of bilateral cooperation. In 2014, the two countries elevated their relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership. During Xi's 2016 state visit to Egypt, the two sides agreed to align the Belt and Road Initiative with Egypt's development strategies. In 2024, Egypt became the first Arab country to include the goal of building a community with a shared future in a bilateral joint statement. Anchored in the leaders' shared vision, China-Egypt cooperation has flourished across a range of fields including trade, investment, industry, energy, science and technology, and cultural exchange, delivering tangible benefits to people in both countries. China has been Egypt's largest trading partner for over a decade, while landmark projects such as the China-Egypt TEDA Suez Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone, the Benban Solar Park, the remote sensing MisrSat-2 satellite and the Government Data and Cloud Computing Center illustrate how bilateral cooperation has expanded into areas ranging from renewable energy and space technology to digital governance. Cooperation has also extended beyond economics. Joint archaeological excavations in Luxor and exhibitions of Egyptian civilization in China have brought the histories and cultures of the two ancient civilizations closer to their peoples. Such exchanges have given the bilateral relationship a deeper human foundation. The significance of China-Egypt ties also extends beyond the two countries. Egypt was the first Arab country to establish diplomatic relations with Beijing, making the China-Egypt relationship a starting point for China's ties with the Arab world. Over the years, the momentum of China-Arab cooperation has continued to grow, with Belt and Road projects creating new opportunities for development and improving livelihoods across the region. China and Egypt have also worked closely in multilateral institutions, including the United Nations, the Group of 20, BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. By coordinating their positions and speaking up on issues of common concern, the two countries have contributed to a stronger voice for the Global South. At a time of profound global change -- with economic recovery still fragile, unilateralism and hegemonism on the rise, and regional conflicts continuing to escalate -- it is more urgent than ever for Global South countries to stand together and pursue common progress. For the Global South, China-Egypt cooperation carries a broader message. By pooling their strengths, expanding practical cooperation and supporting each other's development paths, Global South countries can create more opportunities for themselves and make a greater contribution to the world's shared development. The upcoming visit by Xi will provide a new opportunity to carry this spirit forward. China will continue to work with Egypt and other partners across the Arab world to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, uphold multilateralism, amplify the voice of developing countries and promote a more just and equitable international order.