Xi visits Egypt as China seeks deeper influence across the Mideast

Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Egypt this week to deepen economic and diplomatic ties. This visit is seen as more than a routine opportunity to strengthen the two countries' relationship. While the surface purpose is to enhance economic and diplomatic ties, the subtext reveals China's strategy to expand its influence in the Middle East, countering the United States' longstanding military presence in the region.

Xi arrived in Cairo on Tuesday evening, greeted by a red-carpet ceremony at the airport. The meeting between Xi and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi, held on Wednesday, emphasized the importance of jointly opposing "unilateralism and acts of bullying," and working together for a more just and equitable global governance system.

Xi's first visit to the region since 2022 was significant as it marked 70 years of diplomatic ties between the two countries. In a friendly gesture, both leaders published opinion pieces in Egypt's state-run newspapers, agreeing to expand the scope of pragmatic collaboration through development.

Egypt views its growing relationship with China as a means to diversify its strategic partnerships. In 2023, Egypt joined the BRICS bloc, a group of major emerging economies that serves as a counterbalance to Western-led institutions like the G7. Additionally, China has invested over $10 billion in Egypt, constructing infrastructure projects such as a business hub and an electric rail line.

China's growing influence in the Middle East is evident through its role as a mediator in regional conflicts. In 2023, Beijing brokered a deal reestablishing diplomatic ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia, U.S. allies. This move showcases China's ambition to compete with the United States for influence in the region. China has also advocated for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and hosted Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in 2023, announcing a "strategic partnership" with the Palestinian Authority.