Xi Visits Egypt for First Time in a Decade to Strengthen Economic Ties

Beijing’s President Xi Jinping arrived in Cairo on Monday for a two‑day state visit aimed at strengthening economic cooperation with Egypt and coordinating diplomatic approaches as the Middle East grapples with ongoing conflicts. The trip, the first by a Chinese head of state to Egypt in more than a decade, follows a series of high‑level exchanges between the two nations and comes as China seeks to expand its Belt and Road Initiative footprint in North Africa while offering a stabilising presence amid regional turmoil.

During meetings with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al‑Sisi, Xi signed memoranda of understanding covering infrastructure development, renewable‑energy projects, and trade facilitation, and announced a new line of credit worth several billion dollars for Egyptian ports and railways. Both leaders affirmed a shared commitment to uphold sovereignty, support multilateral solutions to the Israel‑Hamas conflict, and enhance security cooperation. Observers noted that the agreements are expected to boost Egyptian exports to China and deepen Beijing’s strategic influence in a region where Western engagement is increasingly contested. The visit concludes with plans for a joint economic forum later this year to monitor implementation and explore further collaboration.