The foreign ministers of Egypt and China met in Beijing on Friday to discuss enhancing bilateral cooperation across various sectors, including economics, industry, and energy. The meeting focused on strengthening ties between the two countries in areas such as the financial sector, joint manufacturing initiatives, and the localization of key industries in Egypt.

Egypt’s Foreign Minister, Badr Abdelatty, highlighted the importance of industrial localization, specifically in the fields of renewable energy and electric vehicles. He mentioned that Egypt aims to establish a strong domestic industry for solar panels to help generate new and renewable energy. Additionally, he emphasized the collaboration between Egypt and China in advancing the electric vehicle industry, a priority for Egypt as part of its broader economic and environmental development strategy.
The meeting also touched on the ongoing political situation in Syria. Abdelatty and his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, discussed the evolving situation in Syria, particularly following the fall of Damascus on Sunday. Abdelatty confirmed that the rapid and unexpected rebel offensive that resulted in the capture of the Syrian capital within just 10 days was a key topic of conversation. The discussions centered on the need for a comprehensive political solution to the Syrian conflict.

Both Cairo and Beijing expressed shared concern over the instability in Syria and agreed on the importance of establishing an inclusive political process that reflects the country’s diverse sectarian, religious, ethnic, and racial makeup. Abdelatty noted that a political transition in Syria should be led by Syrians themselves and that any solution must be comprehensive and sustainable.
Furthermore, Minister Abdelatty condemned in the strongest terms Israel’s military actions in Syria, which he described as a direct violation of international law. He specifically pointed to the Israeli attacks on Syrian infrastructure and military sites, which have caused extensive destruction, as well as Israel’s incursion and occupation of a large portion of the buffer zone, a move that violates the Disengagement Agreement signed in 1974. Cairo has repeatedly called for an end to such Israeli actions, which it views as escalating the regional tensions.
The talks between the two diplomats underscored the continued strengthening of Egypt-China relations, which have been growing steadily in recent years. China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has further deepened economic cooperation between the two nations, particularly in infrastructure development, energy, and trade. The shared focus on sustainable energy solutions, including solar power and electric vehicles, is part of a broader global trend toward green development, which both countries are keen to support.
In addition to the economic and political discussions, the meeting reinforced the strategic importance of the Egypt-China relationship in addressing regional and global challenges. Both ministers agreed to continue collaboration on issues of mutual interest and to work together on promoting peace, stability, and development in the Middle East and beyond.