Chinas latest Middle East play makes Egypt a pivot of power

**China’s State Visit to Egypt Highlights Strategic Trade and Regional Stability**

*Abu Dhabi, 6 September 2026* – Chinese President Xi Jinping began a state visit to Egypt on 1 September, the first Chinese head‑of‑state visit to the country in a decade. The trip coincided with the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Beijing and Cairo.

During a meeting with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el‑Sisi, Xi urged Middle‑Eastern states to “become masters of their own destiny, resist outside interference, and discuss a new regional security architecture.” The two leaders agreed to deepen cooperation on security and counter‑terrorism, expand projects in data centres, semiconductors and critical minerals, and increase the use of national currencies in bilateral trade.

### Trade and Investment

– China‑Egypt trade reached a record **$20.79 billion** in 2025.
– In the first half of 2026, trade rose by **21.5 %** to **$11.3 billion**.
– Egyptian exports to China rose by 21.5 % to **$840.8 million**, while imports from China were about **$10.4 billion**.
– Total Chinese investment in Egypt exceeds **$10 billion**; the Suez Canal Economic Zone has attracted roughly **$4 billion** of that amount.

The trade imbalance remains a key issue. Egyptian officials have called for localising production, technology transfer and integration of Egyptian firms into trans‑regional value chains to reduce dependence on finished goods from China.

### Strategic Importance of Egypt

Egypt’s population of over 110 million, control of the Suez Canal, and political influence in the Arab world make it a pivotal partner for China’s “multipolar” strategy. The canal is a critical maritime route between Asia and Europe; stability in Egypt directly affects Chinese trade flows.

China’s trade with African countries reached a record **$348 billion** in 2025, and the removal of tariffs on imports from 53 African nations has strengthened Beijing’s position amid a U.S. shift toward protectionism. Egypt’s role as a bridge between the Middle East, Mediterranean, and Africa aligns with China’s broader economic and political outreach in the region.

### Regional Security and Governance

Xi’s visit also touched on broader regional governance. He called on Middle‑Eastern states to determine their own futures and limit external interference. The Gulf states, Egypt and Turkey continue to cooperate with the United States while expanding ties with China, Russia, India and each other, reflecting a desire for greater autonomy.

The Mecca joint defense agreement, signed by Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan on 7 August, establishes that an armed attack on one member is an attack on all. Egypt’s potential accession would give the grouping greater political and military weight, a development that Beijing views favorably as it aligns with its emphasis on diversified partnerships and reduced external dependence.

### China’s Role in the Middle East

China’s engagement in the Middle East is driven by economic interests—access to oil, natural gas and raw materials—as well as a desire to promote a “post‑Western” regional order. In 2025, the Middle East supplied about 52 % of China’s oil imports, roughly 1.9 billion barrels of the 3.6 billion barrels purchased abroad. Saudi Arabia, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates and Oman together accounted for 42 % of Chinese oil imports.

China maintains a strategic partnership with Iran, supports Palestinian statehood, and seeks to avoid commitments that could draw it into regional conflicts. Its approach emphasizes diplomacy and trade over military intervention.

### Conclusion

Xi’s visit to Cairo underscores China’s expanding economic presence and its influence on regional politics. While China does not seek to replace U.S. security guarantees, its growing trade, investment and diplomatic engagement are reshaping the balance of power in the Middle East and beyond. The visit marks a continuation of Beijing’s strategy to build a multipolar world order in which states can choose partners without external coercion.

Article and image source: iraqsun.com