Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The Lebanese Army is continuing its investigations and will later announce any information that does not affect the confidentiality of the investigation
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: It has not yet been determined whether the detainees belong to ISIS or another organization
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Around 10 people of different nationalities, including Lebanese nationals, were detained
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The Lebanese army arrested a number of people in the Matn area of Mount Lebanon with possession it has not disclosed
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: We have strong indications that there are martyrs, injuries, and trapped people in the Salah al-Din area
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: Citizens should avoid Salah al-Din Street because anyone who approaches it is at risk of being directly targeted
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: Reality is that there is a very limited retreat of the vehicles, with the occupation forces providing cover undeer fire up to Salah al-Din Street
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: Claims that the Israeli occupation has withdrawn from areas in the neighborhoods of al-Zaytoun, al-Tuffah, and al-Shujaiya are false
Hamas: The two delegations stressed that any negotiations must lead to the achievement of our people's goals and aspirations, foremost among which is ending the war and the complete withdrawal of enemy forces
Hamas: A delegation from the Hamas leadership, led by the head of the leadership council, Mohammad Darwish, met with an Islamic Jihad delegation, headed by its Secretary-General, Ziyad al-Nakhalah

China supplying Egypt with satellites: what are the motives?

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Geopolitical Monitor
  • 14 Sep 2023 18:15
  • 1 Shares
6 Min Read

Egypt will become the first African country with full satellite assembly and integration testing capabilities.

  • x
  • A handover ceremony was held in New Cairo city in the Eastern Area of Cairo in Egypt for two models of a remote-sensing satellite jointly developed by Chinese and Egyptian scientists, June 25, 2023 (CASC)
    A handover ceremony was held in New Cairo city in the Eastern Area of Cairo in Egypt for two models of a remote-sensing satellite jointly developed by Chinese and Egyptian scientists, on June 25, 2023 (CASC)

A report by Arushi Singh for the Geopolitical Monitor on Thursday detailed the reasons why China has been providing Egypt with satellites for free.

According to the report, Egypt has become the first African country to have the capability to assemble, integrate, and test satellites.

This milestone was achieved with the delivery of two prototype satellites funded by China for the MisrSat II satellite project.

This development not only brings satellite manufacturing to Egypt but also positions the country as a leader in technology transfer to Africa, the report states.

Meanwhile, the delivery of the MisrSat II satellite's flight model has been scheduled for a later date.

Context

In January 2019, China and Egypt signed a $72 million grant for Egypt's space program, marking the third such grant from China for a satellite project.

Over the following years, Egyptian and Chinese engineers collaborated on operating the satellite, including its ground control station and application system.

Egypt previously announced that the MisrSat II satellite is scheduled to launch from China in October.

It will depart from Cairo on June 28 and undergo final testing in China before its launch. The satellite is designed to have a lifespan of five years from its launch date.

A handover ceremony held in Egypt for models of the MisrSat-2 projecthttps://t.co/NcH0Ov6LYg pic.twitter.com/gTvFO20ude

— CGTN (@CGTNOfficial) June 27, 2023

Ambassador Liqiang highlighted the project's significance by referring to it as achieving "four firsts," namely:

  • Egypt being the first nation to engage in satellite cooperation with China within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative.
  • China assisting Egypt in establishing a comprehensive satellite assembly, integration, and test center, where Chinese and Egyptian scientists and engineers will work together on the assembly and testing of Egypt's MisrSat II.
  • China providing support in building Egypt's aerospace team and providing joint training for Egyptian aerospace experts.
  • Upon project completion, Egypt will become the first African country with full satellite assembly and integration testing capabilities.

With its 2-meter high-resolution capability, the MisrSat II satellite is set to support Egypt's Vision 2030 for sustainable development.

Egyptian officials have outlined its applications, including crop identification, mineral resource exploration, urban planning support, and coastal transformation monitoring.

This satellite transfer signifies a major accomplishment for China, representing its first comprehensive satellite test abroad and the successful implementation of a satellite cooperation project in a foreign country.

Additionally, the Egyptian Space Agency has established a memorandum of understanding with the Chinese Land Satellite Remote Sensing Application Centre (LASAC) for remote sensing data.

Meanwhile, the Saudi Space Agency is engaged in discussions with Chinese enterprises for potential collaborations.

CASC has completed the assembly & testing of MisrSat-2 (EgyptSat-2) at the Chinese-built AIT in Egypt. This 350-kg remote sensing sat will be transported back to China for launch in October.https://t.co/xDWWshJ6u0 https://t.co/IlQSiVL0TC pic.twitter.com/6aFRGf9wl3

— China 'N Asia Spaceflight 🚀𝕏 🛰️ (@CNSpaceflight) June 28, 2023

Paradox?

Egypt is the third-largest recipient of US military aid worldwide, trailing only Ukraine and "Israel."

Additionally, Egypt has become a notable participant in China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), attracting substantial Chinese investments.

Over 1,500 Chinese companies operate in Egypt across diverse sectors, such as IT, electricity, telecommunications, and transportation.

Related News

Dying satellites may contribute to climate change, ozone depletion

Erdogan hails Türksat 6A launch as milestone in domestic space tech

China and Egypt have forged a comprehensive partnership, with a cooperation portfolio worth around $1.7 billion.

This funding is directed towards various development areas, including electricity, healthcare, education, vocational training, and more.

In 2022, their collaboration expanded to encompass increased technical cooperation, focusing on capacity-building and human resource development.

This collaboration extended to entities like the Egyptian Space Agency, among other initiatives.

Read more: Space race; Cosmic dash to the dark side of the moon

Geopolitical implications

Countries like Pakistan and Egypt are increasingly looking to China for their digital infrastructure needs, considering the integration of Chinese satellite internet, including low earth orbit (LEO) broadband, due to their reliance on Chinese assets like submarine cables, fiber optics, 5G networks, and satellite ground stations.

China's economic influence in various countries also enables it to discourage the adoption of US services.

Conversely, the US, EU member states, Russia, and Taiwan are developing their satellite constellations and broadband networks.

For instance, Russia's Roscosmos has invited Algeria and Egypt to participate in a space station project, fostering their national space programs.

This space race aims to provide real-time, low-latency satellite internet for various applications, with Egypt's hosting of the African Space Agency potentially enhancing China's interest in space-related activities.

China's "Guo Wang" project seeks to create an extensive satellite network in near-Earth orbit, aiming to compete with Elon Musk's Starlink.

It involves over 12,000 satellites owned by China Satellite Network Group Co., though the launch schedule remains undisclosed.

This network's scale would rival SpaceX's plans, with rapid deployment to secure a position in low orbit, potentially countering Starlink.

Chinese satellites may also have surveillance and other "anti-Starlink" capabilities.

China's strategic focus is on emerging nations facing financial constraints, particularly those lacking satellites in orbit.

Their affordable satellites appeal to developing countries, with China offering financial aid, technology transfer, and training.

The Belt and Road Space Information Corridor is pivotal, granting participant countries access to satellite and space launch capabilities, improving resource management, weather forecasting, disaster response, and reducing reliance on US satellites.

This strategy enhances China's goodwill, influence, and access to partner capabilities.

Read more: Iran's Chabahar Space Center to be completed by March 2025

Presently, China seeks to create remote sensing satellite networks in Africa, supporting Belt and Road (BRI) partner countries' logistical integration.

China played key roles in launching Nigeria's first two communications satellites in 2007 and 2011 and deploying Algeria's initial communication satellite in 2017.

In 2018, Tunisia became the first non-Chinese host of a Beidou Satellite Navigation System ground receiving station.

Additionally, China aided Ethiopia and Sudan in launching their first satellites in 2019.

In sum

In sum, China is actively increasing its global influence in space exploration and satellite technology through ongoing collaborations and partnerships.

Providing satellites to Egypt is part of China's larger goal to expand its presence in space and satellite services, aligning with initiatives like the BRI and strengthening its strategic interests in Africa.

This move positions China to play a significant role in shaping the global landscape of satellite communication and connectivity.

Additionally, China's growing presence in the satellite industry reflects its strategic focus on emerging countries that may have limited negotiating power or control over such projects.

Read more: SpaceX launches 13 US military satellites to low-Earth orbit

  • Satellite technology
  • Egypt
  • space race
  • China
  • Starlink

Most Read

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Major ambush in Gaza kills 6 Israeli troops, injures dozens

Major ambush in Gaza kills 5 Israeli troops, injures 14

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Israeli soldiers are seen in Beit Hanoun ahead of an operation by the al-Qassam Brigades, undated (Al-Qassam Brigades Military Media)

'Israel' on blast as media exposes report discrepancies in Gaza ambush

  • Palestine
  • 8 Jul 2025
Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

  • Politics
  • 9 Jul 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
The Freedom Flotilla ship Handala as it departs for Gaza, where it aims to break the maritime blockade at a port in Syracuse, Sicily in southern Italy on July 13, 2025. (AFP)
Palestine

Freedom Flotilla's Handala departs Sicily in bid to break Gaza siege

The container ship CMA CGM Laperouse, left, docks at the Georgia Ports Authority's Port of Savannah, Sept. 29, 2021, in Savannah, Ga (AP)
Politics

US shipbuilding woes deepen as tariffs, outdated policies backfire

Gaza war raises ethical questions for ex-Obama, Biden officials
Politics

Mercenary firm tied to Gaza war crimes hires Obama-Biden PR operatives

'Israel' targets children in Gaza collecting water
Palestine

'Israel' strikes Gaza kids fetching water, blames it on 'malfunction'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS