Overview
- Xi arrived in Cairo on Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026, for his first state visit to Egypt since 2016 to mark 70 years of diplomatic relations and meet President Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi.
- Leaders are expected to sign agreements on artificial intelligence, transport, energy and new investment in the Suez Canal Economic Zone aimed at boosting industrial projects and local manufacturing.
- China and Egypt have stepped up military coordination through the 'Eagles of Civilisation 2026' air exercises, which showed logistical reach when a Chinese YU-20 tanker refuelled an Egyptian Rafale in mid-air.
- Washington has warned of expanded sanctions tied to its campaign against Iran that could hit Egyptian and Chinese banks, and the US recently moved to cut off Banque Misr's UAE operations from the US financial system.
- China is already a major trading partner and investor in Egypt with large Belt and Road projects and the TEDA Suez zone, and Cairo is exploring options such as converting some Chinese debt into direct industrial investment to ease foreign-currency strain.