Cairo: Rasha Mahdy, a member of the National Council for Women (NCW) and rapporteur of its Political Participation Committee, affirmed on Sunday, September 20, 2026, that Egypt-China relations represent a model of friendship and cooperation between China and Arab countries. She noted that Egypt was the first Arab and African country to establish diplomatic relations with China, helping open a new chapter in the history of China-Arab relations.
According to State Information Service Egypt, this statement came during the participation of an NCW delegation in a visit to China by female leaders from Arab countries, organized by the All-China Women's Federation under the theme 'Enhancing Women's Cooperation and Building a Beautiful Future Together,' from September 7 to 16.
In a statement on Saturday, Mahdy said she headed the Arab women leaders' delegation during the conference, held to mark the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China. She affirmed that the visit represented an important opportunity to enhance communication and understanding between the Arab and Chinese peoples and strengthen the bonds of friendship and cooperation.
She added that during the events, she highlighted the progress made in empowering Egyptian women across various fields. She noted that 2026 marks 70 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Arab countries, adding that Egypt-China relations have steadily developed over the past decades, with bilateral cooperation opening broad prospects in the political, economic, cultural, and development fields.
She stressed the importance of strengthening relations between countries through human, cultural, and civilizational exchanges, alongside official agreements, in a way that supports mutual understanding and sustainable partnerships. She expressed hope for continued cooperation in women's empowerment, the exchange of expertise, capacity building, youth training, development, and innovation.
During the visit, the NCW delegation participated in several events, including a lecture titled 'China: State, Party and Women,' which addressed women's experiences and role in society. The delegation also took part in a Chinese-Arab women's dialogue session held at the headquarters of the All-China Women's Federation, where participants exchanged views and experiences on women's issues and ways to enhance cooperation between the two sides.
The All-China Women's Federation praised the efforts of the National Council for Women, headed by Counselor Amal Ammar, and its role in supporting and empowering Egyptian women and strengthening cooperation between Egyptian and Chinese women's institutions.
As part of China's recognition of the Council's role, the All-China Women's Federation highlighted Counselor Amal Ammar's participation in last year's World Women's Summit. Her photograph was placed in the Women's Museum in China following her visit to the museum and her presentation of a collection of products made by Egyptian women.
The Council's participation in the visit comes as part of efforts to expand areas of cooperation and exchange international expertise on women's issues, as well as strengthen partnerships with institutions concerned with women's empowerment, supporting Egypt's efforts to enhance women's participation in various areas of development.