Xi Arrives in Cairo for State Visit to Egypt

Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Cairo on Tuesday evening for a three-day state visit to Egypt, his first trip to the country in a decade and a landmark moment as the two nations mark 70 years of diplomatic relations. Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, were welcomed at Cairo International Airport by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and his wife Entissar, with honor guards lining the red carpet and Egyptian youths waving flags of both countries, according to Xinhua News.

A Visit of Historic Significance

The visit coincides with the 70th anniversary of China-Egypt diplomatic relations, which were established in 1956 when Egypt became the first Arab and African country to recognize the People’s Republic of China. In a written speech delivered upon arrival, Xi described the two nations as “ancient civilizations” whose friendship has “endured for thousands of years and grown stronger with time,” noting that over seven decades the two countries have “stood together through thick and thin and pursued win-win cooperation.”

Senior Chinese officials Cai Qi and Wang Yi accompanied Xi on the visit, and Chinese Ambassador to Egypt Liao Liqiang was also present at the airport to welcome the delegation. The visit follows Xi’s attendance at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, as part of a broader diplomatic tour running from August 30 to September 3, as announced by the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

Deepening Economic Partnership

China is Egypt’s largest trading partner in non-petroleum goods, with bilateral trade reaching nearly $20.7 billion by the end of 2025, according to Al Jazeera. Egyptian exports to China surged nearly 200 percent to $840.8 million in the first half of 2026, while imports stood at $10.4 billion. Chinese investments in Egypt exceed $10 billion, including a business hub east of Cairo and an electric rail line for industry in the Nile Delta.

The China-Egypt TEDA cooperation zone in Ain Sokhna, part of Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative, hosts about 200 companies with investments exceeding $3.8 billion. Egypt joined the BRICS bloc in 2023 and signed Belt and Road Initiative agreements with China in 2024, deepening its economic alignment with Beijing.

In an article published in Egyptian state-run newspapers, President Sisi wrote that “the comprehensive strategic partnership established by the two countries achieved a breakthrough in bilateral relations, as China became a major commercial and economic partner for Egypt, and direct Chinese investments increased, including in the Suez Canal Economic Zone.”

Regional Context and Strategic Calculations

The visit unfolds against a backdrop of intense regional instability. A six-month US-Israel war on Iran has disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, making the Suez Canal — which Egypt controls — a vital alternative route for energy supplies. As Anadolu Agency reported, the two leaders are expected to discuss strengthening bilateral relations and implementing the countries’ comprehensive strategic partnership, as well as regional and international issues of mutual concern.

Gamal Salama, a professor of political science at Suez University, told RFI that Xi’s visit comes at a time when China’s economic interests are directly affected by the US-Iran war. “China views Cairo as a strategic player with influence,” Salama said. “Egypt’s relations with Washington and regional parties can provide Beijing with political channels and diplomatic leverage.”

Muhammad Zulfikar Rakhmat, a Middle East expert at Jakarta’s Center of Economic and Law Studies, noted that “China has good reason to strengthen ties with the country that controls the route still open,” adding that Xi views Egypt “as a base to reach the wider Arab and African world, at a time when the US has less attention to spare there,” as reported by NY Post/AP.

Military and Strategic Cooperation

The visit follows the second iteration of joint China-Egypt air exercises called “Eagles of Civilization,” which began in August 2026 at Egyptian air bases. These exercises, involving advanced fighter jets from both sides, signal the growing military partnership between the two countries and send political and strategic messages about the diversification of Egypt’s defense relationships.

Egypt’s Balancing Act

Egypt is pursuing a policy of strategic diversification, maintaining its security partnership with the United States while deepening economic and diplomatic ties with China. Trade between the US and Egypt was $15.7 billion in 2025, and Egypt remains a crucial partner in US national security priorities in the region. However, Egypt’s participation in BRICS and its growing cooperation with China signal a shift toward a more multipolar alignment.

Amr Hamzawy, director of the Carnegie Middle East Program, observed that “China continues to build up its soft power reserves while the United States self-sabotages its own stock,” highlighting the broader competition between Beijing and Washington for influence in the Middle East.

What to Watch For

The leaders are scheduled to hold formal talks on Wednesday, with Xi also planning to visit the Grand Egyptian Museum near the pyramids of Giza. Key areas of expected cooperation include artificial intelligence and data centers, Suez Canal Economic Zone expansion, renewable energy projects, electric vehicle manufacturing, and potential currency swap agreements between central banks.

Xi’s visit to Egypt comes ahead of an expected trip to the United States later this month, and is seen as part of broader diplomatic positioning. As Modern Diplomacy noted, the visit carries significance that transcends bilateral relations, given the ongoing repercussions of the US-Iran war and instability in global energy markets. China is leveraging Egypt’s pivotal role to achieve regional stability, mitigate crises, and protect its interests in the Middle East and Africa.

The visit also coincides with the 70th anniversary of diplomatic ties, which Xi and Sisi celebrated in May through an exchange of congratulatory messages, as reported by Xiamen Net. The leaders’ mutual commitment to deepening their comprehensive strategic partnership signals that this visit is likely to yield concrete agreements that will shape China-Egypt relations for years to come.

As the two leaders prepare for their formal talks, the international community will be watching closely to see how this visit reshapes the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East — and what it means for the balance of power between China and the United States in the region.