The Egyptian military spokesperson posted photos on social media platform X showing a Chinese YY-20 tanker refueling an Egyptian Rafale fighter during the 'Civilized Eagle 2026' joint air exercise. ^[1] Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Egypt today for his first visit to the country in the past decade. ^[2] Xi Jinping urged countries to oppose external interference in the Middle East and stated that the people of the region are masters of their own affairs. ^[3] China deployed 4.5-generation J-16 fighters, YY-20 tankers, KJ-class early warning aircraft, and Y-20A transport aircraft for the exercise. ^[4] Egypt deployed Rafale fighters and MiG-29 aircraft for the exercise, with footage also showing Chinese J-16s engaging in air combat training against Egyptian Rafales and MiG-29s. ^[5] The joint exercise 'Civilized Eagle 2026' took place from late last month until early this month at various Egyptian airbases, involving joint strikes on simulated targets and air combat drills. ^[6] Egyptian President Abdel Fatah Al Sisi stated that Egypt and China are partners contributing to strengthening the role of the Global South in the international system. ^[7] Xi Jinping noted that China and Egypt are 'close brothers' and expects the partnership between the two countries to deepen. ^[8] Both President Xi Jinping and President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi urged diplomatic solutions to reach a comprehensive agreement to end the six-month US-Iran conflict. ^[9] The Egyptian-Chinese industrial zone at the Suez Canal already hosts 200 companies and investments worth around $4 billion. ^[10] Xi Jinping is scheduled to visit India and the United States later this month. ^[11]