Xi Jinping’s car in Egypt: The story of the Hongqi N701 and why it accompanies the Chinese president?

Abu Dhabi, UAE – From the “red flag” associated with Chinese leaders to the highly specialized presidential limousine that accompanies Xi Jinping in Cairo, the Hongqi N701 is more than just a luxury car; it’s part of the Chinese state’s image. Its appearance in Egypt also raises a larger question: What does the Chinese president’s car reveal about Beijing’s rise and growing influence in the Middle East?

Xi Jinping’s car attracted attention during his official visit to Cairo, as the Hongqi N701 appeared in the presidential motorcade. The visit comes nearly ten years after the Chinese president’s last trip to Egypt, at a time when Egyptian-Chinese relations are expanding economically, politically, and in terms of security. However, the story of the Hongqi N701 goes beyond its appearance and size; the Chinese presidential car carries a history intertwined with the state and its leadership. Its precise security specifications remain undisclosed.

Honshi N701: A car designed for the president, not the market.

Unlike Honshi’s commercial vehicles, the N701 is not a publicly available model or a car that can be ordered from dealerships. It first appeared publicly with Xi Jinping during his 2022 visit to Hong Kong, and its appearance has since been linked to his official activities. This means that discussing the price of the Honshi N701 as a conventional luxury car is inaccurate. In fact, the car’s true value lies in its presidential function and symbolism, not in its status as a consumer product.

“The Red Flag”: When a car becomes part of a nation’s identity

The name Hongqi means “red flag,” and the brand, founded in 1958, has been associated since its inception with the cars of high-ranking officials and Chinese national events. As China has transformed into a global industrial powerhouse, Hongqi has transitioned from a closed, official symbol to a luxury brand seeking to compete beyond the Chinese market. Therefore, the N701 embodies two phases: the legacy of the old state-owned car and the aspirations of modern Chinese industry for a global presence.

Secrets of security: What do we know about the Chinese president’s car?

Security protection is the most notable aspect of interest in the Honshi N701, but the exact details are not officially published. Therefore, the numbers circulating about the thickness of the armor, the type of glass, and the car’s ability to resist specific weapons or explosions remain within the scope of reports and estimates unless confirmed by an official body. The N701 is certainly a special presidential limousine, with a large design and a back cabin intended for official use. It is also different from Honshi commercial models that are on the market. Here the mystery itself becomes part of the story. Whenever a car is intended to protect a head of state, the less information is available about its security systems.

Why does Xi Jinping travel in his presidential car?

The appearance of the N701 in Cairo is not its first outside of China; the car has been seen with Xi Jinping during previous official trips, including his visit to Saudi Arabia. This makes the car an integral part of Chinese presidential protocol, like the presidential plane, flags, guards, and ceremonial arrangements. The choice of a specifically Chinese-made car adds another dimension to the scene. The state is not only showcasing its political power but also presenting its domestic industry as part of its sovereign prestige.

From the streets of Cairo to the map of Chinese influence

Xi Jinping’s visit to Cairo derives its significance from the timing of the trip itself. The Chinese president is returning to Egypt after nearly a decade. As Beijing expands its presence in the Middle East through trade, investment, diplomacy, and security cooperation, Egypt’s strategic location at the Suez Canal, coupled with the canal’s economic zone and numerous infrastructure, manufacturing, and energy projects, makes Cairo a crucial link between Asian, African, and European markets.

China and Egypt… the car is not the only thing in the picture

The appearance of the Hongqi N701 cannot be viewed in isolation from the evolving Egyptian-Chinese relationship. In May 2015, the two countries conducted their first joint air exercise, which later expanded to include Chinese and Egyptian fighter jets. This reveals a broader picture than just the president’s car: investments, trade corridors, military cooperation, and a political partnership. The Hongqi N701 becomes the most visible symbol of this presence when it moves from meeting rooms to the streets of Cairo.

Why has Egypt become important in Beijing’s calculations?

For China, Egypt is more than just a market; its location gives it strategic importance in trade, transportation, and logistics. While the Suez Canal is one of the world’s most important maritime routes, the partnership with Beijing offers Cairo greater scope to diversify its international relations, attract investment, and enhance cooperation in industry, infrastructure, and technology, going beyond traditional trade ties.

The Honshi N701: A car that encapsulates the story of China’s rise

At first glance, the Hongqi N701 might appear to be simply a large limousine accompanying the Chinese president. But its significance extends far beyond the vehicle’s specifications. China, where the Hongqi was historically associated with leadership vehicles and the political elite, has become an industrial powerhouse, manufacturing and exporting its own luxury cars. Its most exclusive products are used for the president’s travels abroad.

In Cairo, the N701 emerged amidst a larger backdrop: a Chinese president returning to Egypt after years of strained relations, expanding economic ties, evolving security and military cooperation, and Beijing’s efforts to solidify its position as an influential player in the Middle East. Therefore, the real question isn’t how fast the Honshi N701 is or how much it costs, but rather what the car says about the country that manufactured it. The answer is perhaps best captured in a single image: the red flag moving through the streets of Cairo.