Cairo: Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Cairo on Tuesday for his first state visit to Egypt in 10 years, as China and Egypt seek to strengthen their relationship at a time of renewed fighting between the United States and Iran.
Xi was received at Cairo International Airport by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi and First Lady Entissar Amer. Xi was accompanied by his wife, Peng Liyuan.
The two day visit comes as the Middle East faces renewed security and economic uncertainty. The United States and Iran exchanged their most serious fire in weeks on Tuesday, with US forces striking Iranian military targets and Iran responding with attacks on US assets in several countries across the region.
Xi and Sisi are holding talks on Wednesday on bilateral relations as well as regional and international issues. The Egyptian presidency said the visit is aimed at strengthening cooperation in political, economic and development fields and following up on the implementation of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement signed by the two countries in 2014.
The timing of Xi's visit has given the meeting wider importance. Egypt maintains close relations with the United States while also expanding its political, economic and military cooperation with China.
Egypt has described its foreign policy as one of strategic balance and an independent approach at a time of growing international competition. Sisi has stressed the importance of maintaining broad international partnerships while Egypt works to protect its economic and security interests.
China and Egypt are marking 70 years of diplomatic relations this year. The two countries established diplomatic relations in 1956, with Egypt becoming the first Arab and African country to establish relations with the People's Republic of China.
China has become a major economic partner for Egypt. Bilateral trade reached nearly $20.7 billion in 2025, according to Egyptian figures cited in recent reporting. Chinese investment is concentrated in areas including infrastructure, manufacturing, energy and projects around the Suez Canal Economic Zone.
Chinese companies have also taken part in major infrastructure projects in Egypt, including developments linked to the country's new administrative capital and transport networks.
The relationship has also expanded into military cooperation. In August, China and Egypt held air exercises involving Chinese J 16 fighter jets and Egyptian Rafale aircraft. The exercises marked the first deployment of China's J 16 fighters to Africa.
The growing relationship comes as China expands its diplomatic and economic engagement across the Middle East. Beijing has presented itself as a supporter of political dialogue and cooperation while maintaining strong economic relationships with countries across the region.
Xi said on his arrival in Cairo that China and Egypt set an example of friendship, solidarity and cooperation between developing countries. He said the two countries would discuss their relationship, wider cooperation and international and regional issues of common concern.
The renewed US Iran fighting has added another important dimension to the visit.
The US military said it had completed a new wave of strikes against Iranian targets, including air defence systems, radar systems, maritime assets, mine laying capabilities and communications sites. Iran responded by saying it had attacked US assets in Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait and Iraq.
The latest fighting has increased concerns over shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a strategically important waterway for global energy supplies. Shipping traffic through the strait fell sharply on Tuesday, according to preliminary shipping data, as tensions increased.
The disruption has also highlighted the strategic importance of Egypt's Suez Canal, which connects the Red Sea with the Mediterranean Sea and is one of the world's major shipping routes.
Two tankers carrying Saudi crude were also struck by unidentified projectiles while transiting the Strait of Hormuz on Monday. No casualties were reported.
The situation creates additional economic and security concerns for Egypt, which depends heavily on the safe operation of the Suez Canal and maintains important relationships with both Washington and Beijing.
The United States has also increased economic pressure on Iran and warned of further sanctions against institutions and countries linked to Tehran. The pressure has added to concerns among countries and financial institutions that have economic connections with Iran.
Egypt continues to maintain close relations with the United States while deepening its economic, political and military ties with China. The relationship therefore reflects Cairo's effort to expand its international partnerships rather than a clear move away from Washington.
Egypt joined the BRICS group in 2024 and has expanded its cooperation with China through the Belt and Road Initiative. Beijing has also increased its involvement in Egyptian infrastructure, energy and industrial projects.
For China, Egypt is an important economic and strategic partner at the crossroads of Africa, the Arab world and major international shipping routes. Egypt's position also gives it an important role in discussions over regional security and trade.
For Egypt, closer cooperation with China provides another major partnership as the country faces a changing regional security environment.
The outcome of Xi's talks with Sisi will be closely watched for further agreements and cooperation in areas including trade, investment, energy and transport. The leaders are also expected to discuss the wider regional situation.
The meeting between Xi and Sisi therefore comes at a significant moment, linking a longstanding bilateral relationship with the wider changes taking place across the Middle East.