The activities of the Egyptian-Chinese Joint Air Exercise “Eagles of Civilization 2026” commenced Saturday with the participation of a number of multi-role fighter aircraft of various types.
The exercise is conducted over several days at a number of Egyptian Air Force bases across the Arab Republic of Egypt, the Egyptian Ministry of Defense said in a statement on Wednesday.
The initial phases of the exercise include a series of theoretical and practical lectures aimed at harmonizing the combat concepts and procedures of both sides.
The participating forces will also conduct joint air sorties, as well as training in planning and managing joint air combat operations, with the objective of exchanging expertise and enhancing the operational capabilities and skills of the participating forces.
The exercise is being conducted as part of the Egyptian Armed Forces’ joint training program with the armed forces of brotherly and friendly countries, reflecting Egypt’s commitment to strengthening military cooperation and further developing bilateral relations across various fields.
It’s worth noting that the Chinese President Xi Jinping will make an official visit to Egypt in the coming days for talks with President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi, the Egyptian Presidency said on Wednesday.
The trip will be Xi’s first to Egypt since he visited Cairo in 2016 and comes as the two countries mark the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations.
Xi and El-Sisi will discuss “ways to strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries across various fields of mutual interest,” the Presidency added.
The two leaders will also exchange views on “several regional and international issues,” it noted. The Presidency did not announce the visit’s exact date or duration.
From August 30 to September 3, Xi Jinping will attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit 2026 in Bishkek, and pay a state visit to Kyrgyzstan and Egypt, According to Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson.
Egypt and China elevated their relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2014. During El-Sisi’s state visit to Beijing in May 2024, the two leaders launched the Egypt-China Partnership Year and reaffirmed the 2024-2028 executive program for the partnership, local media reported.
El-Sisi invited Xi to visit Egypt during the talks, and the Chinese leader accepted. In August 2025, Xi also said he intended to visit Egypt during an upcoming African tour.
In July, the two countries’ Foreign Ministers discussed Gaza, Sudan, Lebanon, Libya, the Horn of Africa, and cooperation in international forums while marking 70 years of ties.
Moreover, economic cooperation has expanded. Earlier in August, Egyptian companies signed 17 export contracts worth about $168 million with Chinese buyers, covering agricultural products, textiles, minerals, and engineering goods. (Sources: Egyptian Ministry of Defense; Egyptian Presidency; Chinese Foreign Ministry; Photo © Egyptian Ministry of Defense)
