Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Egypt on Tuesday for a rare two-day visit, as Beijing and Cairo seek to protect their economic interests and strengthen coordination amid the fallout from the months-long Middle East war.
Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, were welcomed at the airport by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and his wife, along with an Egyptian folk dance performance.
The visit comes as China and Egypt face potential US sanctions over financial and economic ties to Iran. Washington has threatened expanded measures against countries and institutions supporting Tehran, potentially affecting Chinese and Egyptian banks.
China, a major buyer of Iranian oil, has positioned itself as a neutral player in the conflict and repeatedly called for a lasting ceasefire. Egypt, meanwhile, has urged restraint as the regional conflict threatens its security and trade interests.
Beijing looks to deepen regional influence
Xi is scheduled to meet Sisi on Wednesday, with talks expected to cover the Gaza war, Iran and shipping through the Red Sea and Strait of Hormuz, according to Egyptian media.
Analysts say Beijing sees Cairo as an important regional partner because of Egypt’s diplomatic role in mediating between Israel and Palestinian groups and its relationships with both Washington and other Middle Eastern powers.
“China sees Cairo as a strategic power broker,” said Gamal Salama, a political science professor at Egypt’s Suez University.
Egypt’s ties with Washington and regional actors give Beijing “political access and diplomatic leverage” in a region where China wants a greater role, Salama said.
Both China and Egypt support an independent Palestinian state as part of a two-state solution.
Xi said he looked forward to “renewing the friendship” with Sisi and working with him to establish a new blueprint for deepening their comprehensive strategic partnership, in an editorial published by Egyptian media Tuesday.
Trade and investment at the heart of visit
The visit marks 70 years of diplomatic relations between China and Egypt and comes as economic ties continue to expand.
China’s trade surplus with Egypt reached $12 billion in the first seven months of 2026, according to Chinese customs data.
The two countries are expected to sign agreements covering artificial intelligence, transport, energy and investment in the Suez Canal Economic Zone, Egyptian media reported.
Beijing has also strengthened military ties with Cairo. The Chinese and Egyptian air forces conducted joint exercises in August featuring China’s J-16 fighter jet.
For Egypt, closer ties with China could provide additional investment and technology while allowing Cairo to preserve its longstanding relationship with Washington.
“What Egypt is seeking is strategic autonomy: not breaking with Washington, not aligning completely with Beijing, but creating enough room to pursue its own national interests,” Salama said.
The visit also comes ahead of an expected meeting between Xi and US President Donald Trump later this month, as Beijing seeks to reinforce relationships with US-friendly countries across the region.
