Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al‑Sisi greeted Chinese President Xi Jinping at a military ceremony in Cairo’s Ittihadiya presidential palace on Wednesday, marking Xi’s first visit to Egypt in a decade. The reception, complete with Chinese flags and images of the Sphinx and the Great Wall, underscored the growing closeness between the two nations.
Strategic partnership expands
Since the strategic partnership agreement signed during al‑Sisi’s 2014 visit to Beijing, Egypt has steadily broadened its cooperation with China. The latest visit comes amid regional turbulence linked to the U.S. war against Iran, prompting many U.S. allies to reconsider long‑standing security arrangements.
Egypt remains a major U.S. defence partner, receiving roughly $1.3 billion in annual military aid. At the same time, it has deepened both military and economic ties with Beijing. Former Egyptian diplomat Ayman Zaineldine told Reuters that Egypt wants to “widen the circle of its relations with major world powers, including China,” noting that the two countries’ visions now converge.
Joint military exercises and equipment
Recent joint drills, dubbed “Eagles of Civilization,” showcased Egyptian and Chinese forces working side by side. The exercises featured a rare air‑combat drill that paired Chinese‑made J‑16 jets with French‑made Rafale aircraft, signaling a high level of interoperability.
State media highlighted public opinion polls showing favorable views of China among Egyptians, and aired segments on modern Chinese weapons systems, reflecting growing public interest in the partnership.
Economic ties and Chinese investment
Egypt’s strategic location—home to the Suez Canal and a population exceeding 110 million—makes it an attractive market for Chinese goods and investment. Government data indicate that imports from China topped $10 billion in the first half of the year, a rise of more than 14 % compared with the same period last year.
Chinese firms have poured billions into projects ranging from container‑port development and green‑hydrogen plants to the production of iron pipes, car tyres, and satellites. China State Construction Engineering Corporation is also a key player in building the business district of Egypt’s new administrative capital east of Cairo.
H. A. Hellyer, a scholar at the Royal United Services Institute, said, “Egypt represents something quite valuable to Beijing – a large domestic market for investment opportunities, and a lot of diplomatic weight in the region, including the Palestine question, as well as connectivity to Africa.”
Implications for regional balance
The deepening Egypt‑China relationship adds a new dimension to the Middle East’s geopolitical landscape. As the United States reassesses its own commitments, Beijing’s expanding diplomatic and economic footprint offers Egypt an alternative source of support and development.
While the partnership brings economic benefits and modern military capabilities, observers note that Egypt must balance its ties with both Washington and Beijing to preserve its strategic autonomy.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
