On the 70th anniversary of Egyptian-Chinese relations (1956-2026), Beijing views Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi not only as a political leader but also as a strategic partner whose intelligence and military background enable him to secure China’s vital interests in a turbulent region. This is especially true given that President El-Sisi’s military and intelligence background, as a former director of military intelligence, has contributed to the success of China’s “realpolitik” theory and policy of international equilibrium, avoiding ideological alliances. China prefers leaders with military and intelligence backgrounds like President “El-Sisi” because they tend toward realism (realpolitik).
Beijing believes that President “El-Sisi” manages Egypt’s relations with a balance between Washington and Beijing, which gives China room to maneuver without directly clashing with American interests. Given his capabilities as a military and intelligence leader in supporting China’s sovereign interests, Beijing values Egypt’s steadfast commitment to the “One China” principle. This position is reinforced by the strategic vision of the Egyptian leadership, which rejects interference in the internal affairs of other countries.
Chinese political, security, military, and intelligence circles view President El-Sisi’s intelligence background as a crucial factor for stability in Africa and the Middle East, particularly in relation to China’s regional policy. President “El-Sisi” has played a mediating role for China in several regional issues in the Middle East. China leverages Egypt’s network of intelligence relationships in the region under President El-Sisi, particularly regarding issues like Gaza, Libya, and Sudan, to secure its growing economic interests in Africa, where Egypt serves as a security and political gateway to the continent. Therefore, as China celebrates the 70th anniversary of its diplomatic relations with Egypt in 2026, relevant Chinese circles expect President “El-Sisi” to continue providing a “stable state model” that combines economic development with tight security control, thus creating a secure environment for Chinese growth in the region. China views President “El-Sisi” as an “intelligence mastermind” who understands the language of transnational threats. Cooperation includes the exchange of information on extremist groups that could threaten Chinese national security, particularly in China’s western regions. Egypt’s inclusion as a dialogue partner in the “Shanghai Cooperation Organisation” (SCO) reflects the shared desire of both China and Egypt to build a regional security system. China relies on the expertise of Egyptian military intelligence in understanding the complexities of the Middle East and Africa.
Thus, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi’s background as a former head of Egyptian military intelligence is considered a significant strategic asset for China. Analytical, intellectual, intelligence, security, and military circles in China view this background as crucial in shaping Egypt’s international relations, especially with major powers like China. It ensures a stable Egyptian leadership with a strong security mindset. This facilitates the implementation of Belt and Road Initiative projects, such as the TEDA Industrial Estate, protects Chinese investments, and strengthens the strategic partnership in counterterrorism and security information sharing, blurring the lines between Chinese commercial and military interests in the region. This underscores the importance of President El-Sisi’s prior intelligence background for China, serving as a guarantee of stability to protect Chinese investments in Egypt. El-Sisi’s military/intelligence background plays a role in providing a stable security environment, reassuring China about the safety of its substantial investments in infrastructure, ports, and industrial complexes, especially given the intertwining of commercial interests with China’s military development (civil-military integration). Chinese experts believe there are similarities in the military, intelligence, and party backgrounds of President Sisi, given his military and intelligence background and his role as Supreme Commander of the Egyptian Armed Forces, and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the ruling Communist Party of China and General Secretary of the Central Military Commission of the Communist Party of China. This is reflected in the convergence of their visions on development issues and the stability of the political system, free from foreign interference.
What China wants from “El-Sisi,” the intelligence man, within the context of its partnership with Egypt and the celebration this year, 2026, of the 70th anniversary of the establishment of relations between Egypt and Beijing, is significant reliance on Egypt and President “El-Sisi” to achieve security and stability as a guarantee for Chinese investments and its Belt and Road Initiative. This reliance is achieved by Egypt protecting the massive Chinese investments in Cairo, where China is pouring billions of dollars into the Suez Canal Zone (TEDA) and the New Administrative Capital. Therefore, President Sisi’s intelligence background means to China that he possesses a “security grip” capable of protecting these assets from terrorist threats or unrest. Furthermore, this intelligence background enables him to secure maritime routes, as China relies on the Suez Canal as a vital artery for its Belt and Road Initiative. Beijing values El-Sisi’s ability to manage the security of the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, benefiting from his expertise in assessing security risks.
President El-Sisi’s intelligence background also contributes to a harmonious alignment of security doctrines between him and China. The Chinese side prefers dealing with leaders with security backgrounds, such as those in intelligence agencies, due to the ease of reaching agreements on issues like counterterrorism, espionage, protecting the “home front,” and monitoring dissidents, all of which align with China’s activities abroad. This intelligence background is also a crucial factor for China in strengthening its strategic partnership with Egypt through the Belt and Road Initiative. El-Sisi’s rise to power in 2014 facilitated the implementation of important strategic projects for the Chinese, such as the high-speed rail and the development of the Suez Canal Economic Zone. Strong leadership, especially from someone with an intelligence background like President “El-Sisi,” provides China with swift and secure decision-making, thus bolstering Beijing’s geopolitical and economic expansion. President El-Sisi’s previous intelligence background also plays a significant role for Beijing in counterbalancing American influence in the region. “El-Sisi” represents a strategic ally in the Middle East who seeks to develop relations with Beijing and transfer its experience, thus providing China with an alternative security and political foothold and reducing the impact of Western hegemony in the region.
Thus, we understand that the relationship between China and President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi is based on a deep strategic alliance and a shared security vision, influenced by his background as a former director of military intelligence. Analytical, intellectual, intelligence, security, and military circles in China view this background as a crucial factor in shaping Egypt’s international relations, particularly with major powers like China. The impact of President El-Sisi’s intelligence background on the relationship with China is evident in several strategic and security aspects, most notably (Overcoming Western Restrictions): The relationship with China is used as a tool for maneuvering and circumventing restrictions on the supply of technology and weapons that Western powers might impose, thus pressuring these powers to reconsider their positions for fear of losing the Egyptian market to Beijing. Given President El-Sisi’s prior intelligence background, which is a crucial factor in his awareness of international threats, as a former intelligence chief, he possesses a deep understanding of international pressure and blackmail tactics. This has led him to build an “intelligence shield” to protect the state’s sovereignty in its foreign relations, thus contributing to strategic balance. As a former military intelligence officer with a military background, President El-Sisi’s policies are characterized by emotional stability and clear neutrality in expression traits linked to his intelligence training. This helps him manage complex relationships with competing international powers, such as his relations with Washington and Beijing.
Therefore, China views Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi as an ideal strategic partner, not only because of Egypt’s regional standing but also because of his profound security vision stemming from his background as a former head of military intelligence. This background provides China with common ground in its management style, which prioritizes security and stability as a prerequisite for economic development, aligning with the “Chinese development model.” China’s aspirations for cooperation with President “El-Sisi,” given his background in intelligence, can be summarized as follows: (President El-Sisi’s intelligence background guarantees security and stability to protect Chinese investments in Egypt and the region): China’s Belt and Road Initiative relies heavily on the Suez Canal. China values El-Sisi’s security capabilities, as a former intelligence officer, in maintaining the stability of this vital global waterway and protecting industrial zones like “TEDA” in Suez, which encompasses billions of dollars in investments. Furthermore, President El-Sisi’s intelligence background enables him to coordinate and cooperate with China on intelligence, military, and security matters in the fight against terrorism. Here, China seeks to deepen intelligence cooperation and information sharing with Egypt regarding extremist groups that could threaten its interests in Africa and the Middle East or those that could affect its internal national security. China finds a strong understanding of these threats within the Egyptian administration.
China also benefits from President El-Sisi’s experience as a former head of Egyptian military intelligence in deepening the Chinese-Egyptian military and technological partnership. This is achieved through diversifying the sources of Chinese weapons for Egypt. China capitalizes on El-Sisi’s approach of diversifying arms sources away from Western dominance, thus opening the door for Chinese military technologies, such as drones and air defense systems, to enter the Egyptian market. This has led to the development of cooperation into high-level military exercises, such as the joint Chinese-Egyptian military maneuvers and exercises known as “Eagles of Civilization 2025,” which aimed to unify combat concepts and exchange intelligence and field expertise with Egypt.
Furthermore, President El-Sisi’s intelligence background is a significant factor for China in strengthening regional political and security coordination with Cairo, particularly for accessing the African market. Here, China relies on El-Sisi’s intelligence and political experience to understand the dynamics of the African region and uses Egypt as a platform for transferring Chinese security and technological expertise to countries on the continent. With Egypt and its president capable of providing a balance of power in international relations for China, China sees in President “El-Sisi” an ally who rejects foreign interference in internal affairs and emphasizes state sovereignty. This provides Beijing with political cover in international forums regarding its sensitive issues, such as Taiwan and human rights, in exchange for similar Chinese support for Cairo. Furthermore, it deepens Chinese technological and informational cooperation with Egypt, given China’s ambition to integrate its technologies into Egypt’s new smart cities, such as the New Administrative Capital, and in the field of artificial intelligence sectors that require high-level security and information coordination.
Accordingly, Chinese think tanks and experts, during the celebration of the 70th anniversary of Egyptian-Chinese relations in 2026, believe that President El-Sisi’s intelligence background contributed to the success of key milestones in the “Golden Decade” (2014-2024) between Egypt and China. Relations witnessed a qualitative leap since President “El-Sisi” assumed power in 2014, a period described as the “Golden Decade,” due to (the contribution of President El-Sisi’s strong intelligence background to the success of the comprehensive strategic partnership), following the elevation of relations to this level in 2014, and (China’s benefiting from President El-Sisi’s military and wartime background in deepening military cooperation between the two sides). This cooperation with China represents a strategic dimension, allowing Egypt to access the latest technologies in the Chinese military arsenal. This has resulted in the launch of numerous Egyptian national projects with Chinese participation, including the construction of the financial and business district in the New Administrative Capital, the electric train, and the launch of the “EgyptSat-2” satellite. Furthermore, the value of trade exchange is expected to increase to approximately $18 billion by 2026, making China Egypt’s largest trading partner. President El-Sisi’s previous intelligence background also proved instrumental in securing strong support from China in pushing its partner, Egypt, towards joining international economic blocs like BRICS. This was seen as supporting China’s policy of bolstering the Global South and promoting multipolarity. Egypt also successfully joined the New Development Bank and BRICS in 2024 with clear Chinese backing.
