The China in MENA Brief - July 7, 2025
Egypt and China Hold First Joint Air Force Drills; Beijing’s Smart Devices Quietly Gather Data in Israel
1. The first joint air force training between China and Egypt
Between April and May, Egypt and China completed the “Eagle of Civilization-2025” joint air force exercise at an Egyptian air base.
This marked a milestone for China, as it was the first time the Chinese Air Force had deployed combat units to Africa for joint drills. Upon arrival, Chinese forces quickly carried out equipment setup, operational briefings, mission coordination, and control rehearsals, followed by a successful first flight. The exercise showcased China's growing ability to project air power over long distances, rapidly deploy forces, and operate within a joint combat framework.
Despite Egypt’s status as a long-standing U.S. ally, this exercise highlights its willingness to deepen military ties with China, especially in areas such as air combat training that involve sensitive technology and coordination. Egypt’s decision to host Chinese air units reflects both its drive to diversify defense partnerships and its growing strategic autonomy.
Strategic Takeaways:
China’s Growing Military Footprint in Africa: This exercise signals Beijing’s intent to establish itself as a military actor on the African continent, not just an economic one.
Egypt’s Strategic Balancing: Cairo is hedging between Washington and Beijing, leveraging its ties with China to diversify its defense options and signal independence from U.S. pressure.
Chinese Air Force Maturity: The drill highlighted advances in China’s power projection, logistics, and joint operations—key indicators of a more globally capable air force.
U.S. Influence Erosion: Egypt’s willingness to host Chinese forces despite its U.S. alliance suggests limits to Washington’s ability to restrict Chinese military engagement in the Middle East and Africa.
2. Xi Jinping is absent from a BRICS summit
The BRICS summit opens Sunday in Brazil—but for the first time, China’s leader Xi Jinping won’t attend.
Xi, who has made BRICS central to his global strategy, is skipping the meeting in Rio, sending Premier Li Qiang instead. His absence comes as BRICS faces pressure: some members are racing to avoid new U.S. tariffs, and all are grappling with global instability from Trump’s trade policies and recent U.S.-Israel strikes on Iran.
Still, Xi’s absence doesn’t signal a retreat from BRICS. China remains committed to using the bloc to counter Western influence.
Strategic Takeaways:
Internal Priorities: Skipping the summit suggests domestic or internal priorities may have outweighed the diplomatic benefits of attendance.
BRICS Cohesion Tested: U.S. tariffs and geopolitical tensions are pressuring BRICS to show unity; Xi’s absence risks signaling disunity.
3. Allegations Mount: Beijing-Steered Smart Tech Gathering Data in Israel
IDF lieutenant colonels will no longer be driving Chinese-made BYD Atto 3 electric cars. Earlier this year, the Defense Ministry halted deliveries of the vehicles after sustained pressure from cybersecurity and intelligence experts over security risks.
This isn’t Israel’s first experience with Chinese cars in its defense system. Chinese-made MG ZS electric vehicles are still in use to guard the Defense Ministry headquarters in Tel Aviv, and about 600 Chery Tiggo 8 crossovers—also Chinese—remain in service, mostly assigned to officers with large families.
Strategic Takeaways:
Shift in Procurement Policy: This decision signals a shift in Israel’s defense procurement approach, prioritizing information security over cost or convenience, especially amid heightened global scrutiny of Chinese technology.
Existing Exposure Remains: Despite this halt, hundreds of Chinese vehicles—including MG ZS and Chery Tiggo 8 models—are still in active use by the IDF and Defense Ministry, leaving lingering cybersecurity risks.
Wider Geopolitical Implications: The move reflects a broader trend of Western-aligned nations distancing from Chinese technology in critical sectors, especially as U.S.–China tensions grow.
Potential Future Restrictions: This precedent could lead to further reviews and restrictions on Chinese products within Israeli defense and government institutions.
4. China Strengthens UAE Trade Ties
China has launched a new shipping route to the Middle East with the maiden voyage of the UGR Zakher from Ningbo Zhoushan Port, carrying over 5,000 Chinese new energy vehicles bound for the UAE and Europe.
The vessel, with a capacity of 7,000 vehicles, is expected to strengthen trade links between China and Abu Dhabi. Cargo volume between Ningbo and Abu Dhabi has already surged in 2024.
AD Ports Group, one of the region’s largest port operators, officially named the ship in Ningbo, highlighting the port’s growing role as a strategic hub.
Bilateral trade between China and the UAE topped $1.3 billion this year, up 5.3% from 2023, with Chinese electric vehicles driving much of the growth.
Strategic Takeaways:
Deepening China-UAE Trade Ties:
The new shipping route reinforces growing economic ties between China and the UAE, particularly in high-value sectors like new energy vehicles (NEVs).Middle East as Logistics Hub:
Abu Dhabi is positioning itself as a key logistics gateway for Chinese exports to the wider Middle East and Europe, enhancing its strategic importance in global trade.China’s Auto Export Push:
The shipment highlights China’s aggressive push to dominate the global NEV market, using state-backed shipping capacity to secure overseas markets.Port-to-Port Alliances Rising:
The partnership between Ningbo Zhoushan Port and AD Ports Group reflects a broader trend of direct port-to-port alliances, reducing dependence on traditional Western-controlled shipping lines.© 2025 The China in MENA Project. All rights reserved.
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