Chinese President Xi Jinping has arrived in Egypt for a two-day visit aimed at strengthening bilateral ties and discussing the escalating Middle East conflict.
Xi and his wife were received on arrival by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and his wife, alongside an Egyptian folk dance performance.
The visit comes as China and Egypt seek to manage the economic and diplomatic fallout from the months-long Middle East war, which began after the United States and Israel launched strikes against Iran on February 28.
Washington last month threatened to expand sanctions against countries and financial institutions supporting Tehran, a move that could affect Chinese and Egyptian banks.
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Gamal Salama, a political science professor at Egypt’s Suez University, said Xi’s visit came at a time when China’s economic interests were increasingly exposed to the US-Iran conflict.
China, a major buyer of Iranian oil, has maintained a neutral position on the conflict and repeatedly called for a lasting ceasefire.
Egypt, a long-standing recipient of US military aid, has also warned against further regional escalation after a drone strike hit one of its ports in July.
Liu Jia, a research fellow at the Singapore-based Middle East Institute, said China was seeking Egypt’s cooperation in managing and shaping regional affairs.
He said Beijing works closely with regional actors such as Egypt, which plays a key mediation role between Israel and Palestinian groups.
China and Egypt both support the establishment of an independent Palestinian state under a two-state solution.
Salama said China regarded Cairo as a strategic power broker because of Egypt’s relations with Washington and other regional actors.
Xi and Sisi are expected to discuss the Gaza war, Iran, and security concerns affecting shipping in the Red Sea and the Strait of Hormuz, according to Egyptian media.
In an editorial published in Egyptian media on Tuesday, Xi said he looked forward to renewing his friendship with Sisi and working with him to deepen the China-Egypt comprehensive strategic partnership.
The visit is Xi’s first to Egypt in a decade and coincides with the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Egypt.
China is a major exporter to Egypt, with its trade surplus reaching 12 billion dollars in the first seven months of 2026, according to Chinese customs data.
The two leaders are also expected to witness the signing of agreements covering artificial intelligence, transport, energy and investment in the Suez Canal Economic Zone.
Salama said the meeting could help Egypt attract increased Chinese investment into its artificial intelligence and electronics industries.
Africanews
