Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Cairo this week for a three-day visit, marking his first trip to Egypt in a decade and his first to the Middle East since 2022. The visit, officially a chance to strengthen economic and diplomatic ties, carries significant subtext as China, the United States' primary global rival, cultivates relationships with American allies in a rapidly evolving region.
Xi aims to position China as a stabilizing force in the Middle East, contrasting its approach with the United States' long-standing military involvement, most recently highlighted by a six-month war with Iran. Analysts suggest China is bolstering its soft power while the U.S. faces self-inflicted setbacks.
Upon arrival Tuesday, Xi was greeted by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi with a red-carpet ceremony. The leaders are scheduled for talks on Wednesday, with a visit to the Grand Egyptian Museum planned. The two nations are celebrating 70 years of diplomatic relations, marked by published opinion pieces on Tuesday. Xi emphasized expanding "pragmatic collaboration" through development, while el-Sissi reiterated Cairo's support for Beijing's "one China" policy regarding Taiwan and lauded Chinese investments.
Egypt views its growing relationship with China as a strategy to diversify its international partnerships. In 2023, Egypt joined the BRICS bloc, an association of major emerging economies seen as a counterweight to Western institutions. The following year, Egypt signed agreements to collaborate on China's Belt and Road Initiative, an ambitious global infrastructure project. China has invested over $10 billion in Egypt, contributing to projects like a business hub east of Cairo and an industrial electric rail line. Annual trade between the two countries is estimated at $20 billion, according to Egyptian government figures.
In comparison, U.S.-Egypt trade reached $15.7 billion in 2025. Egypt remains a critical partner for U.S. national security interests in the Middle East, with leaders from both countries maintaining close ties.
China's regional ambitions have been evident in its diplomatic efforts. In 2023, Beijing brokered a deal to restore diplomatic relations between Iran, a key Chinese ally and oil supplier, and Saudi Arabia, a longtime U.S. partner. Although ties between Riyadh and Tehran have since weakened, the agreement demonstrated China's intent to compete with the U.S. for influence in the Middle East. China has also advocated for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, a position widely supported in the Arab world.
The strategic importance of Egypt has also been amplified by disruptions to oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz due to ongoing regional conflicts. The Suez Canal, controlled by Egypt, has become a vital alternative route for energy supplies. Experts note that China has a vested interest in strengthening ties with Egypt, which controls this crucial passage.
Xi reportedly views Egypt as a gateway to the broader Arab and African markets, particularly at a time when U.S. attention on these regions may be diminished. This strategic alignment was further underscored by a joint air exercise held in August, involving Chinese J-16 fighter jets and Egyptian French-made Rafale fighters – the first combat exercise of its kind for China's J-16s.
Xi's visit to Cairo follows his attendance at a Shanghai Cooperation Organization conference in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, a political and security alliance perceived as a counterweight to U.S. global influence. The trip also occurs amidst U.S. sanctions targeting Iran, which aim to isolate the country from international economic partners, including China, a significant purchaser of Iranian oil. Beijing maintains that its trade practices adhere to international law.