China-Egypt trade surges as they mark 70th anniversary of ties

China-Egypt bilateral trade has maintained double-digit growth in recent years, with both imports and exports rising steadily as the two countries mark the 70th anniversary of diplomatic ties and zero-tariff policy dividends continue to boost economic cooperation.

In the first seven months of 2026, China's trade with Egypt grew 18.7 percent year on year, with imports from Egypt to China soaring 49.4 percent, according to customs data.

Egypt, Africa's leading fruit exporter, ships more than 400 agricultural products to over 160 countries and has held the world's top orange exporter ranking for six consecutive years. Chinese imports of Egyptian agricultural products surged 82.6 percent year on year from January to July, accounting for 41.7 percent of China's total imports from the country.

"We have four containers of Egyptian juice delivered to our warehouse every month, covering seven varieties, which are very popular among Chinese consumers," said Liu Xingwen, general manager of Yifan Import and Export Trading Co., Ltd. in Horgos, northwest China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.

On the export side, Chinese machinery and electronic products continued to gain traction in the Egyptian market.

At Taicang Port in east China's Jiangsu Province, large numbers of vehicles were loaded onto ro-ro vessels bound for Egypt and other Belt and Road Initiative countries. In the first seven months, more than 5,000 new energy vehicles were exported from Taicang to Egypt, up 17-fold year on year.

"Chinese independent brands account for more than 90 percent of vehicle exports from Taicang Port to Egypt, and export models are becoming increasingly diverse. In addition to traditional sedans, orders for SUVs, buses and pickup trucks are also on the rise, with the growing variety of models helping to expand overseas sales channels," said Wang Rui, head of the statistics and analysis section at Taicang Customs under Nanjing Customs.

In the first seven months, China's exports of mechanical and electronic products to Egypt grew 23.9 percent year on year, accounting for 56.9 percent of China's total exports to the country. The complementary nature of the two economies, coupled with Belt and Road cooperation, continues to deliver mutual benefits.

China-Egypt trade surges as they mark 70th anniversary of ties

Local merchants in Gyirong County of Xigaze City, in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, have been providing free relief supplies and essential aid to rescue teams and frontline workers following a catastrophic mudslide.

The deadly mudslide triggered by a glacial collapse on the Nepalese side struck the remote China-Nepal border region on Aug 26 morning.

Zeng Yong, owner of a building materials store in the county, kept his business open around the clock and provided complimentary lodging for rescue and restoration workers in the aftermath of the disaster.

"I didn't think about anything else at all. I just knew that building materials were definitely needed in disaster relief. We provided whatever we had and stayed open all day long," said Zeng.

On the night of the disaster, Zeng and his family and store employees rushed to assemble 16 makeshift beds and urgently purchased bedding supplies. After six to seven hours of intensive effort, they transformed the second-floor office area into a functional rest area for frontline workers.

"On the front line, I was mainly tying steel cages and had been working continuously for two days and one night. The tents at the frontline are all full," said Zhang Xuhui, a worker of China Railway Guangzhou Engineering Bureau Group Bridge Engineering Co., Ltd. "Sleeping bags and raincoats are all packed in bags. The moment we receive the order, we just grab our bags and head straight there,” said Lhapa Tsering, a rescuer.

Among those staying at Zeng's store are emergency support personnel, frontline workers and freight drivers. No matter how late they return, Zeng keeps the lights on to welcome them.

"Their rescue work doesn't follow a regular schedule, and sometimes they come back very late. I always keep the light on so they can return at any time," said Zeng.

Across the streets of Gyirong County, temporary volunteer service stations have been set up, operating around the clock to provide a wide range of supplies to rescuers and local residents alike.

"When disaster strikes, help comes from all sides. I have lived here for nearly 30 years -- this place is half my hometown. As long as I can help in any way, even just a little, it is a small token of my appreciation," a local merchant.

Gyirong merchants mobilize to provide free aid to rescue teams, frontline workers