Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Egypt this week for his first visit to the country in a decade. The trip marks a significant moment in the relationship between China and Egypt, two nations seeking to deepen their economic and diplomatic ties. The visit comes at a time when China, often seen as the United States' top global rival, is expanding its influence in the Middle East by strengthening relationships with key regional allies like Egypt. Xi's presence in Cairo is also symbolic, as he aims to position China as a stabilizing force in the region, contrasting with the U.S., which has long been militarily engaged in the Middle East. Xi was welcomed at Cairo International Airport with a ceremony featuring Chinese and Egyptian flags. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi and military officials greeted him on the tarmac with a red-carpet reception. During his visit, Xi plans to meet with el-Sissi and tour the Grand Egyptian Museum, which is near the famous pyramids of Giza. This marks the first time Xi has visited Egypt in a decade and his first trip to the Middle East since a visit to Saudi Arabia in 2022. El-Sissi, in turn, has made several visits to China in recent years, reflecting the growing importance of their bilateral relationship. To commemorate 70 years of diplomatic ties, both leaders published friendly opinion pieces in Egypt's state-run newspapers. Xi emphasized the need to expand practical cooperation, while el-Sissi praised China's investments in Egypt, including infrastructure projects such as a business hub in Cairo and an electric rail line in the Nile Delta. Egypt has also aligned with China on the issue of Taiwan, affirming Cairo's support for China's position that Taiwan is part of its territory. Egypt's growing relationship with China is part of a broader effort to diversify its strategic partnerships, especially after being invited to join the BRICS group of emerging economies in 2023. China and Egypt have signed agreements to collaborate on the Belt and Road Initiative, a major Chinese policy aimed at building global infrastructure. Trade between the two countries is estimated at $20 billion annually, compared to $15.7 billion in trade with the United States in 2025. Egypt remains a key U.S. ally in the region, but China is increasingly seen as a counterbalance to American influence. This is evident in China's role in brokering a 2023 deal to restore diplomatic ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia, a move that highlighted its growing influence in Middle Eastern politics. Despite the initial success of that agreement, relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia have since deteriorated, with Iran launching attacks on Gulf countries in response to U.S. and Israeli military actions.