China's Xi Jinping holds Cairo summit with Sisi in first Egypt state visit in a decade

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi received Chinese President Xi Jinping at Cairo's Ittihadiya Palace with a 21-gun salute on Wednesday, marking the start of the Chinese leader's first state visit to Egypt in nearly a decade.

The high-stakes summit comes as Beijing seeks to expand its strategic and economic influence in the Middle East against the backdrop of the ongoing US-Iran war and escalating threats to global maritime trade, according to Al Jazeera.

What economic and trade agreements were targeted during the Cairo summit?

Delegations from both BRICS nations engaged in extensive talks aimed at finalizing a slate of bilateral economic agreements spanning artificial intelligence, transportation, energy, and advanced manufacturing.

Egyptian officials estimate current Chinese investments at approximately $10 billion, with major stakes concentrated in the Suez Canal Economic Zone and key infrastructure projects—including major financing for Egypt's New Administrative Capital.

According to Chinese customs data, bilateral trade between the two countries reached new heights in 2026, with Beijing recording a $12 billion trade surplus with Cairo over the first seven months of the year. Egyptian officials emphasize that expanding Chinese participation in local tech and manufacturing sectors remains a priority to offset regional inflation and supply chain bottlenecks triggered by maritime blockades in the Red Sea and Persian Gulf.

How does Xi's visit align with Egypt's foreign policy amidst US pressure?

The diplomatic visit coincides with growing geopolitical friction between Washington, Cairo, and Beijing. Last week, the US Treasury Department imposed sanctions on the Emirati branch of Egypt's Banque Misr over alleged financial links to Iran, as part of Washington's broader economic pressure campaign.

According to The National, President Sisi published an op-ed in Egyptian state media on Tuesday emphasizing Cairo's commitment to an "independent foreign policy" and "strategic balance".

The summit follows recent joint "Eagles of Civilization 2026" air combat exercises held between the Egyptian and Chinese militaries in August, signaling growing defense cooperation alongside commercial links. Following their formal proceedings at Ittihadiya Palace, President Xi and President Sisi are scheduled to tour major cultural landmarks, including the Grand Egyptian Museum overlooking the Giza Pyramids.