Chinese President Xi Jinping has begun a state visit to Egypt, with energy cooperation, artificial intelligence and advanced technology among the central items on the agenda.
Xi arrived in Cairo on Tuesday, September 1st, 2026, marking his first visit to Egypt in a decade. The trip is part of a wider tour that includes the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, and runs from August 30th to September 3rd, 2026.
During the visit, Xi is holding talks with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El‑Sisi at the Ittihadiya Presidential Palace in Cairo. The discussions are expected to cover bilateral ties, regional security, trade, investment and international issues of common concern.
Energy cooperation is a major focus. Both sides are looking to expand collaboration in renewable energy, including wind and solar projects, as well as electricity infrastructure and green manufacturing. Chinese investment in renewable-energy equipment and related industries is seen as a way to support Egypt’s energy transition and industrial strategy.
Artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure are also high on the agenda. Reports indicate that Huawei has submitted a proposal to supply Egyptian authorities with advanced AI chips and to help build AI training and cloud-computing systems. The plan could support data centres for government, surveillance and other applications, potentially positioning Egypt as a regional hub for Chinese AI technology.
Beyond energy and AI, the two countries are discussing cooperation in electric vehicles, batteries, electronics, desalination components, shipbuilding, telecommunications and space technologies. Egypt is seeking to attract more Chinese factories, deepen technology transfer and localise production within its borders.
The visit comes as Egypt and China describe their relationship as entering a “new phase”, with an emphasis on advanced technology, manufacturing and African development. For Cairo, closer ties with Beijing offer access to capital, technology and industrial partnerships. For Beijing, Egypt provides a strategic gateway to Africa and the wider Middle East.
Regional dynamics are also shaping the talks. The Middle East is reassessing security and economic alliances amid ongoing conflicts and shifting partnerships. China’s engagement with Egypt reflects its broader effort to expand its diplomatic and economic footprint in the region.
Xi’s four-day stay in Egypt is expected to produce new agreements and joint statements on cooperation in energy, technology, trade and investment. The outcomes could influence not only bilateral relations but also China’s wider engagement with Africa and the Arab world.
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