Chinese President Xi Jinping has arrived in Egypt for a state visit aimed at strengthening the growing relationship between Beijing and Cairo, as the two countries seek closer cooperation in economic, technological and security matters.
Xi arrived in Cairo on Tuesday, September 1, and was welcomed by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi during an official ceremony. The visit is particularly significant because it is Xi’s first trip to Egypt in a decade and comes as China and Egypt mark 70 years of diplomatic relations.
During talks in Cairo on Wednesday, Xi and el-Sisi discussed ways to expand cooperation between their countries. The discussions covered economic development, security, counterterrorism, technology and investment.
The Chinese president called for stronger coordination between China and Egypt and urged both countries to oppose what he described as unilateralism and external interference.
Xi also called for greater cooperation in creating what he described as a fairer international system. His comments come at a time when tensions in the Middle East have increased sharply because of the ongoing conflict involving the United States and Iran.
Egypt occupies an important strategic position because of its control over the Suez Canal, one of the world’s most important shipping routes connecting Asia and Europe.
The canal has become even more strategically important as instability in the wider Middle East continues to affect international shipping. China has significant trade interests that depend on secure maritime routes, making cooperation with Egypt particularly valuable to Beijing.
Economic relations are also at the centre of Xi’s visit.
China has invested heavily in Egypt through infrastructure, manufacturing, energy and other projects. Chinese companies have played a major role in the development of Egypt’s new administrative capital and the Suez Canal Economic Zone.
The two countries are also looking to expand cooperation in emerging areas such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors and renewable energy.
Egyptian officials have increasingly viewed China as an important economic partner capable of providing investment and technology while helping the country diversify its international relationships.
China, meanwhile, sees Egypt as an important gateway to both the Middle East and Africa.
Egypt’s geographic position gives Beijing access to major trade routes and markets across the region. Its membership in the BRICS grouping also makes Cairo an important partner in China’s efforts to strengthen cooperation among emerging economies.
The two countries have also expanded their security relationship.
China and Egypt recently held joint military exercises known as “Eagles of Civilization,” highlighting the growing defence relationship between the two countries. During the latest talks, the two leaders discussed further cooperation in security and counterterrorism.
Xi’s visit is taking place against the backdrop of major geopolitical changes in the Middle East.
The United States remains an important partner for Egypt, particularly in military and security matters. However, Cairo has increasingly pursued a strategy of maintaining strong relationships with several major powers, including China and Russia.
Egypt’s growing relationship with China therefore does not necessarily mean that Cairo is abandoning its traditional relationship with Washington.
Instead, analysts describe Egypt’s approach as an attempt to maintain a strategic balance and expand its options at a time of changing global alliances.
For China, the visit provides an opportunity to present Beijing as a reliable economic and diplomatic partner at a moment when American influence in the region is being questioned.
Xi has called for Middle Eastern countries to have greater control over their own security arrangements and has criticised outside interference in regional affairs.
The visit also carries symbolic importance because of the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Egypt.
The two countries established diplomatic relations in 1956, making Egypt the first Arab and African country to establish diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China.
Over the decades, the relationship has developed from political cooperation into a broad partnership covering infrastructure, trade, energy, manufacturing, technology and security.
As Xi’s visit continues, both governments are expected to announce or advance agreements aimed at increasing cooperation in several sectors.
For Egypt, closer ties with China could bring additional investment, technology and access to the Chinese market.
For China, stronger ties with Egypt could secure greater access to one of Africa and the Middle East’s most strategically important countries while strengthening Beijing’s presence around the Suez Canal and surrounding region.
Xi’s visit therefore represents more than a diplomatic meeting between two presidents. It reflects China’s growing role in Africa and the Middle East and Egypt’s efforts to build stronger relationships with multiple global powers.
With regional tensions continuing and international trade routes facing uncertainty, the partnership between Beijing and Cairo is likely to become increasingly important in the years ahead.
