Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Egypt on Tuesday, his first visit to the Arab world's most populous nation in a decade. The trip comes as regional countries re-evaluate their security and economic relationships in the wake of the Iran war, which has disrupted global energy markets and raised concerns about the long-term reliability of the United States as a security partner.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi welcomed Xi at Cairo International Airport. State media in Egypt has highlighted the growing economic and military ties between the two nations, noting that Egypt was the first Arab and African country to establish diplomatic relations with China 70 years ago. Sisi stated in an op-ed that Egypt and China are partners contributing to the Global South's role in the international system.
This visit is the second leg of Xi's overseas travel this year, following a summit in Kyrgyzstan. He described the relationship with Egypt as one of "close brothers standing by each other" against imperialism and colonialism, expressing anticipation for a deeper partnership. Last month, Egypt, which receives approximately $1.3 billion annually in U.S. military aid, hosted its second joint military exercises with China. These drills involved the deployment of Chinese J-16 jets to Africa and included a rare air combat exercise with French-made Rafales, with Chinese media noting a Chinese tanker refuelling a Rafale.
According to H. A. Hellyer, a scholar at the Royal United Services Institute, Egypt has sought deeper ties with Beijing since 2014. He noted that while Cairo's messaging to Washington has softened, concerns about American reliability, amplified by the conflicts in Gaza and Iran, have strengthened Egypt's desire to diversify its partnerships. Hellyer added that Egypt aims for greater strategic autonomy, seeking strong relations with Washington, Beijing, Moscow, and Europe.
Egypt's strategic location, bordering Israel, Sudan, and Libya, and its control of the Suez Canal, make it a key player for foreign powers. Chinese investment in Egypt has significantly increased in recent years, with billions invested in sectors like manufacturing, ports, solar energy, green hydrogen, and satellite technology. Eric Olander, co-founder of the China Global South Project, described Egypt as an "obvious choice" for Xi's visit due to its central role in regional issues, including those concerning Israel, Palestine, Africa, and the Persian Gulf. Earlier in the week, Xi hosted Jordan's King Abdullah in Beijing, with Palestinian rights being a prominent topic.
