Xi’s Egypt visit hints at China’s larger African vision

Cairo welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday for his first visit to Egypt in a decade, amid heightened tensions between the US and Iran. The 21-gun salute at the Ittihadiya Palace signified the beginning of a day of talks that will likely touch on the Middle East conflict, its effects, such as maritime trade security, and expanding Chinese investments in Egypt, Africa's most populous nation.

Both China and Egypt are BRICS members, and they are anticipated to finalize several economic agreements during the visit, including those related to artificial intelligence, transportation, and manufacturing. Egypt is currently estimated to have received around $10 billion in Chinese investment. Beijing maintains significant interests in the Suez Canal Economic Zone, which is anticipated to expand as the US-Iran war jeopardizes global maritime trade.

Additionally, China has been instrumental in some of Sisi's mega projects, the most prominent being the New Administrative Capital, a 50-kilometer (30-mile) east of Cairo development, much of which has been funded by Chinese investments. As one of the largest exporters to Egypt, China contributed to a trade surplus of $12 billion in the first seven months of 2026, according to Chinese customs information.

Streets across Cairo, a city of 26 million inhabitants, have been adorned with Chinese and Egyptian flags, as well as billboards depicting Sisi and Xi. Residents have been cautioned about anticipated traffic congestion during their commutes. Xi is expected to visit the entirety of the capital during his trip, including a stop at the Grand Egyptian Museum, which overlooks the Giza Pyramids.

According to analysts, Cairo will leverage this summit to emphasize its strategy of independence, demonstrating its capability to utilize its close ties with both the US and China. In an op-ed published in Egyptian media on Tuesday, Sisi highlighted Egypt and China's partnership in "strengthening the role of the global south" amidst an increasingly divided world.

The United States vowed last month to economically isolate Iran, potentially imposing additional sanctions that could impact Chinese banks, among others. China, a major importer of Iranian oil, has pledged to protect its interests. In anticipation of an anticipated meeting between Xi and US President Donald Trump this month, China has also endeavored to fortify ties with US-friendly regional nations.

Egypt is one of the largest recipients of US military aid and historically serves as a crucial mediator in the Middle East. Last week, the US Treasury imposed sanctions on the Emirati branch of Egypt’s Banque Misr for purported support of Iran. Egypt, under Sisi's governance, has emerged as one of the world's top weapons purchasers and hosted a major joint air combat exercise with the Chinese military in August, featuring Beijing's powerful J-16 fighter jet.