China’s Xi Jinping holds talks with Sisi in first Egypt visit in a decade

Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday, marking his first visit to Cairo in a decade. The arrival came amid heightened tensions in the Middle East, particularly in the wake of the US-Iran war. Xi's visit to Egypt was marked by a 21-gun salute at the Ittihadiya Palace, signaling the beginning of a day of discussions focused on the region's ongoing conflict and its implications for maritime trade security.

The meeting between the two world leaders, both members of the BRICS group, was expected to result in several economic agreements, including those related to artificial intelligence, transportation, and manufacturing. Egypt's current estimate of Chinese investments stands at around US$10 billion, but Beijing has significant stakes in the Suez Canal Economic Zone, which analysts anticipate will expand given the geopolitical risks to global maritime trade.

China has also played a crucial role in several of Sisi's megaprojects, with the New Administrative Capital, located 50 kilometers (30 miles) east of Cairo, being a standout example of Chinese investment in the region. China is a major trading partner with Egypt, with its trade surplus reaching US$12 billion during the first seven months of 2026, according to Chinese customs data.

To underscore its strategic autonomy, Egypt's capital city, Cairo, was adorned with Chinese and Egyptian flags, billboards featuring Sisi and Xi, and signs proclaiming the "generations of Egyptian-Chinese friendship flowing like the Nile River." The city's residents were warned about potential traffic disruptions due to the influx of dignitaries.

In a recent op-ed, President Sisi emphasized Egypt's "independent foreign policy," emphasizing Egypt and China's partnership in strengthening the role of the global south amid a polarized world. Sisi stressed that Egypt and China were collaborating to enhance global collaboration despite increasing tensions.

The US, seeking to isolate Iran economically, threatened to impose further sanctions on Chinese banks amid the ongoing conflict. In preparation for a possible meeting between Xi and US President Donald Trump, Beijing has also been working to strengthen ties with US-friendly regional nations. Egypt is one of the largest recipients of US military aid and has historically served as a key mediator in the Middle East.

The US Treasury recently sanctioned an Emirati branch of Egypt's Banque Misr for alleged support to Iran. Egypt, under Sisi's administration, has become one of the world's top weapons buyers, and recently hosted joint air combat exercises with the Chinese military featuring Beijing's powerful J-16 fighter jet.