Xi Jinping heads to SCO summit in Bishkek, begins state visits to Kyrgyzstan and Egypt

Chinese President Xi Jinping departed Beijing on Sunday for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit 2026 in Bishkek, followed by state visits to Kyrgyzstan and Egypt. The trips are being undertaken at the invitation of Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.

Xi is accompanied by his wife, Peng Liyuan, along with senior officials including Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, and Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

At the SCO summit, Xi is expected to hold in-depth discussions with participating leaders on deepening cooperation within the bloc under current global circumstances, as well as on major international and regional issues.

During his stay in Kyrgyzstan, the Chinese leader will hold talks with President Japarov on bilateral relations, cooperation in key sectors, and the broader regional and international landscape. He is also scheduled to attend several state functions in the country.

The Egypt leg of the visit marks Xi's first state visit to the country in a decade and coincides with the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Beijing and Cairo. The two presidents are slated to exchange views on bilateral ties and international and regional matters of mutual concern.