Abstract

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2016 marks the 60th year of Sino-Arab relations and the 60th anniversary of the establishment of Sino-Egyptian bi-lateral relations where Egypt was the first Arab and first African country to establish diplomatic relations with China. To begin the year, China issued its first Arab Policy Paper which uses multilateralism by promoting different mechanisms and fora through which Arab states can co-operate with China. This commentary shows that China–Arab relations are beginning a process of institutionalisation built on energy, infrastructure, and trade deals as well as on agreements in the field of culture. Following that, Chinese President Xi Jinping published an article on Sino-Arab and Sino-Egyptian relations in the Egyptian newspaper, Al Ahram, ahead of a state visit to the country – home to the Headquarters of the Arab League. This commentary will focus on the contents of the two aforementioned publications, placing Sino-Egyptian relations within the context of China’s Arab co-operation, and the 2016 China-Egypt cultural year within the context of China’s cultural diplomacy.