Xi's visit to Egypt marks Chinese interest in Middle East, Egypt's push to keep growing - analysis

SEPTEMBER 1, 2026 11:46China’s President Xi Jinping is visiting Egypt on Tuesday for a three-day visit that underscores China’s continued interest in the Middle East. MBN News noted it is his first visit to Egypt since 2016, adding that "it coincides with the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Egypt was the first Arab and African state to establish relations with the People’s Republic of China in 1956.”The report at MBN adds that “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?”Why indeed? Egypt is a large country with around 100 million people. It has the Suez Canal; it sits at the junction of the Middle East and North Africa; it plays a role in Libya and Sudan; and it has historically been a leader in the Arab world. Egypt was also an important country during the Cold War and has continued to be an anchor of the entire region.However, instability during the Arab Spring and the rule of Mohammed Morsi left questions about what comes next. In recent years, Egypt has stabilized and also invested heavily in new military-security institutions.China Daily noted that “in congratulatory messages exchanged on May 30 on the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries, President Xi Jinping said 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.”Chinese President Xi Jinping arrives at a welcoming ceremony during a state visit to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, August 31, 2026. (credit: REUTERS/PAVEL MIKHEYEV)China is keen to work with EgyptThe report says that Xi is keen to work with Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. This can lead to a “push for the growth of China-Egypt relations featuring greater strategic guidance, stronger synergy for development and broader international influence.” China has been seeking greater inroads in the Middle East. It would like to see economic blocs such as BRICS and SCO expand their role in the region. However, it is cautious. It saw how a 25-year deal with Iran did not pan out. It is wary of the instability caused by the Iran conflict.“Egyptian President El-Sisi said Egypt and China have stood shoulder to shoulder through different historical periods and that bilateral relations have maintained steady growth over the past 70 years. He expressed the hope of working with Xi to advance bilateral ties and jointly build a more stable multipolar world with a greater capacity to address global challenges,” China Daily notes.The report goes on to note that “China and Egypt signed a memorandum of understanding on jointly building the Belt and Road in January 2016, when Xi made a state visit to Egypt. In 2024, the two countries signed a cooperation plan to further align the Belt and Road Initiative with Egypt's Vision 2030.” Chinese companies have played a role in “building the Central Business District in Egypt's new administrative capital and the 10th of Ramadan light rail transit system.”Economic and trade initiatives are clear. “Tarek Nosseir, president of the Cairo-based think tank Global Forum for Future Studies, told Xinhua News Agency that Chinese participation in major projects had helped to localize advanced technologies, attract investment, support national development plans and create tens of thousands of jobs. He also pointed to collaboration in renewable energy, the national power grid and transportation networks,” China Daily added.There is a lot of talk about how both countries are ancient civilizations. China feels comfortable placing its bets on a country like Egypt, which has such a long past. Egypt’s Ahram Online also said the same thing about how the countries have ancient civilizations.It also noted that the visit coincides with the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. “Ambassador Ezzat Saad, executive director of the Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs (ECFA), said Egypt and China represent two of the oldest civilizations in human history,” Ahram noted, echoing the same message discipline being put forth in Cairo and Beijing. “This year also marks 10 years since Xi’s historic visit to Cairo, during which he delivered a major address at the headquarters of the Arab League and presented China’s policy towards the Arab world.”The Ahram report added that “relations gained considerable momentum following President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi’s assumption of office in 2014, particularly because of his appreciation of China’s experience in achieving comprehensive and sustainable development. The two countries subsequently elevated their relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership.”Egypt's relations with the BRICS groupBRICS also came up in the messaging. “Egypt began engaging with BRICS through the BRICS Plus framework in September 2017. China introduced the format during the BRICS summit in Xiamen, which El-Sisi attended at Xi’s invitation,” Ahram added.“China has become one of Egypt’s most important economic partners, while Egypt provides Beijing with a strategically located gateway to Arab and African markets through its ports, transport networks and the Suez Canal. Egypt, in turn, benefits from Chinese investment, expertise and technology in infrastructure, energy, transport, telecommunications and industry.”A few other details are worth noting, based on Egyptian government media coverage. Egypt’s Sisi has made eight trips to China. “Egypt’s Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade put bilateral trade at about $19.52 billion in 2025, describing China as one of Egypt’s largest trading partners.”Additionally, Egypt has sought to increase exports to China. Chinese investment is believed to exceed $10 billion in Egypt, focusing on “construction, textiles, electronics, energy, transport, and industrial manufacturing.”In addition, Ahram adds that “the China-Egypt TEDA Suez Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone in Ain Sokhna is a central part of the relationship. A July 2025 agreement expanded the TEDA industrial zone from seven to about 10 square kilometers. The zone hosted 185 companies when Chinese Premier Li Qiang visited Egypt that month." Many projects are continuing, including manufacturing investments.Follow us on Google