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Xi Holds Talks with Sisi on First Egypt Visit in a Decade
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia /Economy & Trade

Xi Holds Talks with Sisi on First Egypt Visit in a Decade

From Asharq Al-Awsat · () English

Translated from English and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi hosted Chinese President Xi Jinping in Cairo for Xi’s first visit to Egypt in 10 years, with talks expected to cover the Middle East conflict, maritime security and investment.
  • The two BRICS members are expected to sign agreements on artificial intelligence, transport and manufacturing, while Chinese investment in Egypt is estimated at about $10 billion.
  • The meeting allows Cairo to highlight its independent foreign policy as it balances longstanding ties with Washington and expanding relations with Beijing.

A 21-gun salute at Cairo’s Ittihadiya Palace marked the start of Xi Jinping’s first visit to Egypt in a decade. President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi received his Chinese counterpart for talks expected to range from the Middle East war and its impact on maritime trade to China’s expanding investment in Egypt.

The two BRICS members are expected to sign a series of economic agreements covering artificial intelligence, transport and manufacturing. Egypt estimates Chinese investment in the country at about $10 billion. China already holds important interests in the Suez Canal Economic Zone, and those stakes are expected to grow as the conflict involving the United States and Iran threatens global maritime trade.

independent foreign policy

— Abdel Fattah al-SisiSisi used the phrase in an opinion article ahead of his talks with Xi to describe Cairo’s strategic positioning.

Chinese financing has also supported major projects associated with Sisi, including the New Administrative Capital about 50 kilometers east of Cairo. China is a major exporter to Egypt, and Chinese customs data put its trade surplus with the country at $12 billion in the first seven months of 2026.

strengthening the role of the global south

— Abdel Fattah al-SisiSisi described Egypt and China as partners pursuing a greater role for developing countries.

Cairo has prepared prominently for the visit. Chinese and Egyptian flags and billboards showing Xi and Sisi line major streets, while signs describe “generations of Egyptian-Chinese friendship flowing like the Nile River.” Residents have been warned to expect substantial traffic delays as Xi travels across the capital, including a visit to the Grand Egyptian Museum near the Giza Pyramids.

Analysts say Egypt will use the summit to emphasize its strategic autonomy and its relationships with both Washington and Beijing. In an opinion article published in Egyptian media, Sisi described Egypt’s “independent foreign policy” and said the two countries were partners in “strengthening the role of the global south.” Egypt remains one of the largest recipients of U.S. military aid and a longstanding Middle East mediator. The United States recently imposed sanctions on the Emirati branch of Egypt’s Banque Misr over alleged support for Iran, while Egypt held joint air combat exercises with China in August featuring China’s J-16 fighter jet.

generations of Egyptian-Chinese friendship flowing like the Nile River

— Unknown, Cairo street signageThe phrase appeared on signs displayed in Cairo during Xi’s visit.
About this summary

Originally published by Asharq Al-Awsat in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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