Наблюдатели говорят, что Китай использует важнейшее расположение Египта на перекрестке Африки и Ближнего Востока для стратегического укрепления своего плана «Один пояс, один путь», направленного на развитие торговли, повышение безопасности и решение региональных проблем.

Это происходит в то время, когда Китай стремится расширить свое влияние для решения кризисов на Ближнем Востоке, таких как конфликт в Газе и напряженность вокруг ядерной программы Ирана, на фоне растущего геополитического соперничества с Соединенными Штатами.

Президент США Дональд Трамп недавно принимал лидеров пяти африканских стран – Габона, Гвинеи-Бисау, Либерии, Мавритании и Сенегала – направив сигнал о том, что подход США к Африке сместился с акцента на традиционную помощь на торговлю, ресурсы, инвестиции и взаимовыгодное экономическое партнерство.

Li's visit to Cairo came amid growing disquiet in Egypt over Israel's activities in Gaza, and discussions involving Trump concerning the potential resettlement of Palestinians from Gaza into Egypt's Sinai Peninsula.

Cairo, a long-standing American ally, has categorically rejected this proposal, deeming it a direct threat to Egypt's national security and a damaging blow to the Palestinian cause. This stance aligns with China's consistent rejection of any forced displacement of Palestinians from Gaza into Egyptian territory.

Li affirmed China's readiness to maintain close communication with Egypt to "promote an early ceasefire in Gaza", ensuring immediate humanitarian aid delivery and achieving a just and comprehensive solution to the Palestinian cause.

Li and Sisi also discussed the need for consolidating the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Iran and resuming diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis through peaceful means.

Andrea Ghiselli, a lecturer at the University of Exeter and head of research at the TOChina Hub's ChinaMed Project, noted that China had in the past supported Egyptian proposals, adding that Beiijng's diplomacy in crises outside Asia was often influenced by regional consensus.

"Arab countries have become an increasingly important audience for China's diplomacy in the context of the US-China rivalry", Ghiselli said.

Given Egypt's traditional diplomatic clout and its emergence as an important destination for Chinese companies looking to offshore production, "Egypt naturally is a critical interlocutor", Ghiselli added.

He emphasised that Egypt was strategic both in its own right and within the context of its relationship with the US. Hence, Ghiselli said, "It is not surprising that China is talking about greater coordination with Egypt over this issue." 

John Calabrese, a non-resident senior fellow at the Middle East Institute, suggested that coordinated positions with China could amplify Egypt's stance, particularly if the issue reached the UN Security Council.

Calabrese said the timing and substance of Li's visit might reflect how China sought to capitalise on regional and geopolitical openings - especially when Washington's attention was divided or distracted.

He said it might also be a response to "demand signals" from Egypt, which officially joined the Brics bloc of emerging nations last year. He said Egypt had "grown frustrated with US policy" - especially with respect to Gaza - and seemed intent on sending a message to or lessening its dependence on Washington.

Sun Degang, director of the Centre for Middle Eastern Studies at Fudan University in Shanghai, pointed to a major development that in recent years had extended beyond the established trade and investment ties. 

"China-Egypt defence cooperation, such as joint military rehearsals and arms sales, are a new frontier of cooperation," he said, referring to the growing military collaboration between the two nations.

This shift is particularly evident as Egypt undertakes a significant military pivot from the West, exemplified by its acquisition of China's advanced HQ-9B air defence system and their historic "Eagles of Civilisation 2025" joint air force drill involving Chinese J-10C fighters and YU-20 tankers. The 18-day exercise ending in early May was the first joint air training between China and Egypt.

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