Chinese President Xi Jinping touched down in Cairo on Tuesday evening, greeted by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al‑Sissi and a ceremonial red‑carpet reception. The three‑day visit marks Xi’s first trip to Egypt in a decade and his first Middle‑East tour since a 2022 stop in Saudi Arabia.
Economic cooperation takes center stage
Both leaders used the occasion to celebrate 70 years of diplomatic relations with joint opinion pieces in Egypt’s state‑run newspapers. Xi called for an expansion of “pragmatic collaboration” in development projects, while al‑Sissi praised China’s investments, including a $10 billion business hub east of Cairo and an electric rail line serving the Nile Delta. Annual bilateral trade is now estimated at $20 billion, according to official figures.
Egypt, a longtime recipient of U.S. security assistance, sees the partnership as a way to diversify its strategic options. In 2023 the country was invited to join the BRICS bloc, a coalition of emerging economies that offers an alternative to Western‑led institutions such as the G7.
Strategic and security dimensions
Beyond commerce, the visit carries clear geopolitical weight. China has positioned itself as a regional stabilizer, contrasting its approach with the United States, which has been involved in multiple military engagements in the Middle East. Analysts note that China’s recent mediation between Iran and Saudi Arabia and its role in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization signal a concerted effort to expand influence.
During the trip, Xi and al‑Sissi highlighted Egypt’s control of the Suez Canal, a vital artery for global energy shipments, especially as oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz remain disrupted by the ongoing Iran‑Israel‑U.S. conflict. “China has good reason to strengthen ties with the country that controls this crucial route,” said Middle‑East expert Muhammad Zulfikar Rakhmat.
Military cooperation and joint exercises
In August, China and Egypt conducted a multiday air exercise, featuring China’s J‑16 fighter jets alongside Egypt’s French‑made Rafale aircraft. The drill marked the first combat‑style training between the two air forces, underscoring a deepening defense relationship.
U.S. perspective
The Trump administration has recently intensified economic pressure on Iran, targeting its financial networks worldwide. While the United States remains a key security partner for Egypt, officials acknowledge that China’s growing presence presents a strategic challenge that requires vigilant U.S. engagement in the region.
As President Xi tours the Grand Egyptian Museum near the Giza pyramids, the visit serves as a reminder that the United States must continue to support its allies, uphold democratic values, and protect the constitutional freedoms that underpin stable partnerships across the globe.
Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.
