China’s role aids Egypt’s army more than the economy

Significance

China’s ability and willingness to build and finance mammoth initiatives of questionable national value has made it a convenient partner for President Abdel Fatah el-Sisi.

Impacts

• Both sides will tout projects that reflect the personal visions of their leaders.
• Private-sector Egyptian companies will be crowded out of the market by military-led enterprises.
• Egypt’s main economic partners will remain GCC countries, Europe and the United States for the foreseeable future.