2 hrs ago

Xi Jinping’s Egypt Visit Signals Deeper China-Middle East Ties

China’s leader, Xi Jinping, visited Egypt and was welcomed by President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.

This was Xi’s first visit to Egypt in ten years.

Egypt has traditionally worked closely with the United States for defense support.

At the same time, Egypt has been building stronger business and military ties with China.

The two countries recently held military exercises together.

China is interested in Egypt because it has many people, the Suez Canal and influence in the Middle East and Africa.

Chinese companies are investing in projects such as ports, green hydrogen and Egypt’s new administrative capital.

Egypt also buys more than $10 billion in goods from China during the first half of the year.

The visit shows that both countries want to expand their partnership as the region faces turmoil.

Key facts

Xi’s visit: His first visit to Egypt in a decade.
Egyptian defense aid: Egypt receives around $1.3 billion annually in military aid from the United States.
Bilateral partnership: Egypt and China signed a strategic partnership agreement in 2014.
Military cooperation: The countries recently held Eagles of Civilization exercises featuring Chinese J-16 jets and French-made Rafale aircraft.
Chinese imports: Egypt imported more than $10 billion in goods from China during the first half of the year.
Import growth: Chinese imports rose more than 14% compared with the same period a year earlier.
Chinese investment: Chinese companies have invested in Egyptian container ports, green hydrogen projects, industrial production, satellites and the new administrative capital.

theprint.in · 3 hrs ago