Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to Cairo represents a major strategic step that is reshaping the balance of power in the Middle East and raising deep concerns for both the United States and Israel. The American and Israeli concern stems from the erosion of Western and American hegemony over Egypt and the region and the breaking of Washington and Tel Aviv’s military and economic monopoly on strategic decision-making in Egypt. Some Western and American analyses suggest that the growing Chinese influence in Egypt and the region through investments and military cooperation could challenge the traditional influence of the United States and its allies, while regional powers see it as an opportunity to create a multipolar international balance that serves stability and development. The increasing Chinese influence in Egypt and the Middle East reflects a significant strategic shift in the nature of the international system, and this expansion is prompting differing interpretations among Western capitals and regional powers regarding the divergent views on Chinese influence.

The Western (specifically American) perspective views the Egyptian-Chinese rapprochement as a threat to traditional influence. Washington sees Chinese investments, such as ports and economic zones in the New Administrative Capital and the TEDA Economic Cooperation Zone northwest of the Suez Canal, as well as military cooperation between Egypt and China, as a challenge to American hegemony. Meanwhile, the regional powers (Egypt and other countries in the region) view the rapprochement with China as an opportunity for international balance. These countries see China as an important strategic partner contributing to the creation of a multipolar system that ends the unipolar world order. On the other hand, the digital technological convergence between China, Egypt, and other countries in the region raises American security and technological concerns. Cooperation in areas such as 5G networks and arms deals raises Western concerns about Beijing’s security penetration within Egypt and the region. Egypt, however, sees it as an opportunity to support development and the economy, as the partnership between Egypt and China focuses on large-scale infrastructure projects, such as the New Administrative Capital, without preconditions for political cooperation. Here, the United States and the West are attempting to exploit the issue of “financial traps,” warning against what they call “debt-trap diplomacy,” which they consider a tool for long-term Chinese political control. However, Egypt rejects this American and Western accusation against China, viewing rapprochement with it as an opportunity to diversify its options. This aligns with Egypt’s efforts to expand its political, economic, and military choices, granting it greater room for maneuver with major powers.

The most prominent aspect of American concerns regarding Egyptian-Chinese rapprochement lies in the potential economic repercussions of China’s Belt and Road Initiative. Washington fears China’s success in controlling vital global trade routes by linking Egypt to major infrastructure projects. Therefore, Washington is keen to thwart Chinese attempts to control the heart of the global trade corridor at the Suez Canal and its associated economic zone.  In addition to American apprehension about losing financial leverage to Beijing, Egypt’s growing trade and financial cooperation with Beijing (and Egypt’s accession to the BRICS group) grants Cairo economic flexibility and ease, weakening the effectiveness of American pressure. This leads to a loss of Washington’s strategic dominance, as the United States views the new approach of Egyptian foreign policy, aimed at diversifying international partnerships and integrating into the BRICS group, as undermining Cairo’s complete dependence on the American umbrella. Finally, the American-Chinese competition over digital infrastructure, where the entry of giant Chinese companies like Huawei into the construction of artificial intelligence data centers for the Egyptian government raises Washington’s concerns about the consolidation of Beijing’s digital technological influence in its most prominent ally in the region. Here, Washington worries about Egypt’s reliance on Chinese technology, such as Huawei, in communications and artificial intelligence, which distances it from Western and American digital control.

On the other hand, Israeli concerns about the impact of the Egyptian-Chinese rapprochement on its interests are manifested in (Israeli fears that arms deals will get out of control), as the Egyptian army pursues a policy of diversifying arms sources and developing military cooperation such as the “Eagles of Civilization” maneuvers with China.  Hence, Israeli security circles are apprehensive about potential military deals and joint exercises, such as the “Eagles of Civilization” drills between Egypt and China, due to their potential impact on strengthening Egyptian air defense capabilities and counterbalancing Israeli military superiority. This is something beyond the influence and control of the Israeli lobby in Washington, leading to a loss of its ability to influence Egyptian decision-making. Tel Aviv believes that Chinese economic and investment support deprives it of leverage over Egypt in sensitive regional issues. Therefore, Israel fears that the Egyptian army will break free from Western hegemony and direct American control over weapons technology by embracing Chinese military systems. Here, Egypt’s growing economic, political, and military rapprochement with Beijing reduces Tel Aviv and Washington’s ability to use financial and economic pressure against Cairo on sensitive regional matters.

As for the repercussions of this US-China conflict and Egypt’s role in it on the region’s future, they lie in (strengthening Egypt’s strategic independence). This rapprochement between Egypt and China grants greater room for diplomatic maneuvering.  Egypt seeks to protect its national security and sovereignty, free from Western and American pressures. This grants Cairo greater political maneuvering power and allows it to safeguard its national security interests, such as water security, border issues, and the Gaza Strip, without external dictates. Essentially, this signifies a shift towards a multipolar international order. This rapprochement between Egypt and China contributes to the decline of the United States’ unilateral role in the Middle East and strengthens the presence of Asian powers, particularly China, as an alternative and balancing partner for the region. This erodes unipolarity and paves the way for a multipolar regional system, enabling the Arab region to choose between Eastern and Western economic and technological offerings.