Chinese intelligence agencies, think tanks, and military establishments focused on the Middle East rely on the pivotal role of the Egyptian army as a key gateway to Africa and the Middle East and for protecting global trade and shipping routes after the Iran War, given that Egypt does not host American military bases on its lands. The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is keen to conduct advanced air exercises with the Egyptian Armed Forces, such as the Civilization Eagles exercises, to enhance mutual trust and expand China’s military presence in the region. This presence aims to protect vital waterways and global shipping lanes, as Beijing considers the Egyptian army a regional balancing force and the first line of defense against schemes threatening international navigation in the Suez Canal, the Bab El-Mandeb Strait, and the Strait of Hormuz after the Iran War. The Egyptian army represents a cornerstone in China’s strategy for expansion in the Middle East and securing the routes of its Belt and Road Initiative. Therefore, Beijing supports Egypt with advanced military capabilities, while Chinese intelligence, think tanks, and military establishments use their influence to thwart American and Israeli plans aimed at creating parallel entities that would harm trade routes and sensitive waterways.
The convergence of interests between Cairo and Beijing strengthens strategic security and intelligence integration between the two countries. Both parties explicitly reject the militarization of global supply chains and demand guarantees for freedom of navigation and the safety of international trade routes, especially in light of the repercussions of current conflicts and the ongoing struggle following the US-Israeli war against Iran. The intelligence, military, defense, and security relationship between Cairo and Beijing is highlighted within the framework of this security and intelligence integration. Cairo and Beijing share common interests in rejecting attempts to militarize global supply chains within the context of the ongoing international conflict following the US-Israeli war against Iran and the current crisis in the Strait of Hormuz and international shipping lanes. Here, Chinese intelligence agencies and the Egyptian military are working to monitor all movements that could disrupt maritime routes and shipping lanes and to thwart any efforts aimed at blockading or closing vital sea lanes, given the threat such actions pose to global trade and China’s Belt and Road Initiative. This Egyptian-Chinese cooperation stands out as a strategic step that guarantees Egypt a pivotal role in shaping the balance of power and securing the Suez Canal, a vital global shipping artery, against current international polarization.
Here, Chinese intelligence, think tanks, and military experts concerned with the Middle East play a central role in cooperation with the Egyptian army and the Egyptian General Intelligence Directorate through strategic guidance. The strategic partnership between Egypt and China represents a vital pillar for securing maritime routes, as both sides strengthen their military and intelligence cooperation to counter attempts by major powers to impose their hegemony and militarize supply chains. This ensures freedom of international navigation and protects the economic and security sovereignty of the Suez Canal amidst current geopolitical tensions, especially after the Iran-Iraq War. The trend among major powers toward militarizing supply chains and maritime routes is considered part of the new Cold War. In this context, China is investing billions of dollars in infrastructure projects, such as the TEDA China-Suez Canal Economic Zone, to safeguard its strategic interests and investments within the Belt and Road Initiative, relying on Egypt’s pivotal role. Chinese intelligence, think tanks, and military personnel concerned with the Middle East play a central role in this, collaborating with the Egyptian army and the Egyptian General Intelligence Directorate through strategic guidance. Chinese think tanks, such as the Shanghai Institute for International Studies (SIIS), act as soft power arms, shaping China’s foreign policy in Egypt, the Middle East, and the Gulf region. This policy prioritizes partnership and economic development over direct military alliances, while simultaneously monitoring Western activities. Chinese intelligence utilizes advanced technology to track American movements in the Middle East and conducts intelligence operations to thwart regional plans led by Washington. China manages its involvement in regional crises based on highly pragmatic calculations for making appropriate decisions, aiming to protect its economic interests, ensure energy supplies, and support its close partners, such as Egypt.
In this context, Beijing manages its influence in the Middle East and the Gulf through a pragmatic approach based on soft power and economic partnerships. It utilizes think tanks to formulate its foreign policies and coordinates intelligence with Egypt to monitor Western movements and protect energy security, the Suez Canal, and international shipping lanes. China considers Egypt a close partner in its efforts to achieve strategic balance. To this end, Chinese diplomacy adopts a comprehensive strategy to enhance its presence through several key axes, such as soft power. The Shanghai Institute for International Studies (SIIS) is one of the most prominent research institutions that shapes foreign policy and supports Chinese decision-making circles through dialogue. China has also established several research units in Egypt to support its diplomatic thinking. The most prominent Chinese intelligence and technological tools in the Middle East are represented by the Chinese intelligence apparatus, represented by the Ministry of State Security, which relies on advanced technology to monitor American movements in the Middle East and the Gulf and coordinate security efforts with regional partners such as Egypt. With China pursuing a number of pragmatic policies in the region, it prefers to prioritize development and economic cooperation over direct military alliances. This aims to secure its commercial interests and ensure the flow of energy supplies. This approach aligns with Egypt’s current strategic direction to diversify its international relations and thwart any plans for regional hegemony.
This strategic, intelligence, military, defense, and security partnership between Egypt and China is currently taking shape following the Iran-Iraq War, focusing on several key issues, most notably securing vital waterways. Egyptian and Chinese perspectives converge on the necessity of securing and maintaining global maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, as these are two essential arteries for the global economy. Both countries also agree on the importance of ensuring the smooth flow of international trade through the Suez Canal, emphasizing that maintaining the stability of global maritime traffic through these straits and waterways serves the common interests of the entire international community. Here, intelligence and military cooperation between Egypt and China becomes prominent. Defense relations are witnessing a qualitative leap through joint arms deals and the transfer of advanced military technology. This includes Cairo’s acquisition of long-range air defense systems and participation in joint air exercises, such as the Civilization Eagles maneuvers. Furthermore, Egypt and China have agreed to support regional stability. Chinese and Egyptian diplomacy are pushing for an end to the Iran-Iraq War and the establishment of a comprehensive ceasefire to ensure the safe passage of ships and global supply chains. This aligns perfectly with Egyptian security efforts aimed at preventing the conflict from escalating and protecting the Suez Canal as one of the world’s most important trade routes.
From the preceding analysis, we understand the strong convergence of Chinese and Egyptian diplomatic efforts to achieve a comprehensive and lasting ceasefire to end the Iran-Iraq War in the region. Beijing seeks to secure maritime routes, while Cairo works to intensify regional and international coordination to prevent the conflict from expanding and to protect global trade and the Suez Canal. Both consider peace a prerequisite for ensuring the security of global energy supplies and reopening vital shipping lanes, most notably the Strait of Hormuz. Egypt is working with China on parallel tracks to hold intensive talks with relevant parties and international partners to de-escalate tensions with Iran, preserve stability in the Middle East, and protect vital maritime arteries. Protecting the Suez Canal and ensuring the safety of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab El-Mandeb Strait are central to Egypt’s strategic interests, and it is leading tireless efforts to spare the region the dangers of escalation. These agreements underscore the strength of the comprehensive strategic partnership between Egypt and China, reflecting a convergence of views on the priority of diplomatic solutions to protect international peace and security and maintain the flow of global supply chains through international straits and maritime routes.
