China and Egypt have completed their first joint air drills, underscoring the deepening strategic partnership between the two countries amid the changing balance of power in the Middle East and North Africa. This was reported by "Reuters", reports News.bg.
The Chinese military published footage of fighter jets, helicopters and transport planes flying over the desert and the pyramids. The exercises, titled “Eagles of Civilization 2025“, lasted 18 days and were described by Beijing as "signaling a new era in military cooperation". Chinese officials said the exercises were laying the groundwork for future projects, including the modernization of the Egyptian military.
China's participation in joint exercises with Egypt, a traditional U.S. ally, comes as Washington has gradually withdrawn from the region under President Donald Trump. This opens up space for China to increase its influence through investment and defense partnerships.
“As Egypt looks beyond its traditional Western partners, new cooperation is rising above Cairo“, Chinese state broadcaster CCTV reported.
According to analysts, the exercises will strengthen Egypt's position as a leading military power among Arab countries, especially amid instability in the region. Eric Orlander, co-founder of the “China – Global South, described the maneuvers as “effective public diplomacy” that helps expand Chinese arms exports.
However, Orlander warned that increased military cooperation with China could provoke retaliation from the United States, including curbs on military aid to Cairo. Since the late 1970s, the United States has been a major supplier of weapons and military support to Egypt, Israel, Jordan and the Gulf states. However, under the Trump administration, such spending has been cut.
Amid the ongoing crisis in Gaza, ethnic violence in Sudan and instability in Libya, Egypt faces challenges on several fronts. China has already pledged additional investment in key sectors, including the construction of facilities for the production of military satellites on Egyptian territory.
The Chinese Air Force described the exercises as a “new starting point” in bilateral military cooperation.