Egypt’s strategic partnership with China: opportunities and implications

On December 8, 2022, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi met with his Chinese counterpart, President Xi Jinping, on the sidelines of the inaugural China-Arab Summit in Saudi Arabia. During their meeting, both leaders pledged to further bolster bilateral relations and cooperation within the framework of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The relationship between Egypt and China has experienced significant growth in recent years, characterized by the rapid development of economic, trade, military, and cultural ties. Egypt occupies a strategic position within the BRI, which has the potential to push bilateral relations to new heights.

However, the partnership between Egypt and China also entails several implications for Egypt’s relations with the United States, which has been a major ally of the country for decades. While Egypt seeks to benefit from competition between China and the US, failing to maintain a balance in its relations with these two global powers could create long-term challenges. In this regard, it is important for Egypt to carefully consider the opportunities and risks that stem from its partnership with China and to adopt a balanced approach in its relations with both China and the United States.