- Chinese President Xi Jinping is visiting Egypt for the first time in a decade, as Cairo seeks deeper economic and military ties with Beijing while maintaining its long-standing relationship with Washington.
- Xi’s three-day visit includes talks with President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi expected to focus on the regional conflict, maritime trade security, and expanding Chinese investment in Egypt, with economic agreements expected in areas including artificial intelligence (AI), transport, and manufacturing.
- The visit marks 70 years of diplomatic relations between Egypt and China, and Egyptian state media reported that Xi called for expanding 'pragmatic collaboration,' while el-Sisi praised Chinese investment and reiterated Cairo’s support for Beijing’s position on Taiwan.
- Relations between Cairo and Beijing have deepened since 2014 when they signed a strategic partnership agreement; China is now Egypt’s largest trading partner in non-petroleum goods, with bilateral trade reaching nearly $20.7bn by the end of 2025, and Beijing has invested over $10bn in Egypt, including in the New Administrative Capital and an electric rail line.
- The visit comes amid regional instability, including the US-Israel war on Iran and disruption to global trade, prompting US allies in the region to reassess their strategic relationships.
- Xi’s visit highlights Beijing’s efforts to expand influence in a region where the US has been the dominant military power for decades, and Egypt is a key US ally and the second-largest recipient of US military aid.
- China offers Egypt opportunities in investment, infrastructure, and technology, with bilateral ties expanding into defence and AI, but the growing relationship is seen as diversification rather than a pivot away from the US, according to expert Rob Geist Pinfold.
Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Cairo marks a significant moment in Egypt-China relations, coinciding with the 70th anniversary of diplomatic ties. The discussions with President el-Sisi will address regional conflicts, including the ongoing US-Israel war on Iran and its impact on maritime trade security.1910
The geopolitical landscape is shifting, with Israel's actions in Gaza and disruptions in the Red Sea raising concerns about the US-led regional order. Xi's visit aims to strengthen economic ties, with agreements anticipated in artificial intelligence, transport, and manufacturing sectors.
Xi emphasized the need to expand pragmatic collaboration, while el-Sisi reaffirmed Egypt's support for China's stance on Taiwan. The two nations have deepened their relationship since 2014, with China now being Egypt's largest trading partner in non-petroleum goods, with bilateral trade projected to reach $20.7 billion by 2025. Additionally, China has invested over $10 billion in various Egyptian projects, including the New Administrative Capital and an electric rail line.45678
Despite the growing ties with China, experts caution against interpreting this as a pivot away from the US. Instead, el-Sisi's strategy reflects a desire for diversification and strategic autonomy in Egypt's foreign relations.
“The visit marks 70 years of diplomatic relations, with Xi calling for expanded 'pragmatic collaboration' and el-Sisi reiterating support for Beijing's position on Taiwan. China is Egypt's largest non-petroleum trading partner, with bilateral trade reaching nearly $20.7bn by end of 2025 and over $10bn invested in projects like the New Administrative Capital.”
