China strengthens its influence in West Asia

Xi Jinping arrived in Cairo at a moment when war involving Iran is pushing West Asian countries to reconsider their security and economic dependence on the United States. The conflict has affected global energy markets and raised doubts about Washington’s reliability as a long-term security partner, giving Beijing more room to deepen its influence.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi greeted Xi at Cairo International Airport. The two leaders walked across a red carpet alongside uniformed soldiers, traditional dancers and Egyptians waving Chinese flags, according to state television footage. Egyptian state media had spent the previous week highlighting Cairo’s growing economic and military relationship with Beijing.

The visit is Xi’s first to Egypt in a decade. Egypt was the first Arab and African country to establish diplomatic relations with China, 70 years ago. In an article published by the state-run Al-Ahram newspaper, Sisi wrote: “Egypt and China are partners that jointly contribute to strengthening the role of the Global South in the international system.”

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Egypt and China are partners that jointly contribute to strengthening the role of the Global South in the international system.

Economic and military cooperation has expanded in recent years. Chinese investments worth billions of dollars have flowed into manufacturing, ports, solar energy, green hydrogen and satellite technology. Last month, Egypt held its second joint military exercise with China. Chinese state media said the exercise included the first deployment of Chinese J-16 fighter jets in Africa, along with air-combat training between the J-16s and French-made Rafale jets.

Egypt receives about $1.3 billion a year in military aid from the United States. Still, Cairo has sought closer ties with Beijing since at least 2014, when Sisi visited China and signed a strategic partnership agreement. H.A. Hellyer of the Royal United Services Institute said the wars in Gaza and Iran had strengthened Egypt’s desire to diversify its relationships. “Egypt sees itself moving towards greater strategic autonomy. It wants strong relations with Washington, but at the same time with Beijing, Moscow and Europe,” he said. Egypt’s borders with Israel, Sudan and Libya, along with its control of the Suez Canal, make it a strategic partner for foreign powers in a turbulent region.

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Egypt sees itself moving towards greater strategic autonomy. It wants strong relations with Washington, but at the same time with Beijing, Moscow and Europe.