Xi’s Egypt visit highlights China’s Middle East ambitions and Cairo’s growing role

Xi Jinping’s return to Egypt after a decade places Cairo firmly in China’s efforts to deepen its presence in the Middle East. The three-day visit coincides with the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations, giving both governments an opportunity to celebrate a partnership that now covers infrastructure, trade, telecommunications, space technology, defense and artificial intelligence.

Egypt’s appeal to Beijing is both geographic and political. With about 100 million people, the Suez Canal and a position linking the Middle East and North Africa, Egypt occupies a strategic crossroads. It also has influence in Libya and Sudan and has historically served as a leading Arab state and a regional anchor.

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The anniversary offers both governments an opportunity to highlight a partnership that has expanded into infrastructure, trade, telecommunications, space technology, defense and artificial intelligence. Behind the official celebrations, however, is a more practical question: Why has Egypt become so important to China?

The analysis describes Egypt as having regained stability in recent years after the turbulence of the Arab Spring and the presidency of Mohamed Morsi. It also says the country has invested heavily in new military and security institutions. Those changes have strengthened its importance for a China seeking reliable relationships in a region marked by conflict and uncertainty.

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China-Egypt relations have become a model of amity, solidarity and cooperation among developing countries, as well as a benchmark for collective cooperation between China and Arab states and between China and Africa.

Xi has expressed interest in working with President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to give bilateral ties stronger strategic direction, closer development cooperation and wider international influence. Beijing also wants economic groupings such as BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation to play a larger role in the region. Yet its approach remains careful. The analysis points to China’s experience with a 25-year agreement with Iran and its concerns about instability linked to the Iran conflict.

China and Egypt have presented their relationship as a model of cooperation among developing countries and as a foundation for stronger ties between China, Arab states and Africa. Sisi has said the two countries have stood together through different historical periods and hopes to work with Xi toward a more stable multipolar world.

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Egypt and China have stood shoulder to shoulder through different historical periods and bilateral relations have maintained steady growth over the past 70 years.