Xi in Egypt: Urges Middle East to take charge of its own security

0 Views CAIRO — Chinese President Xi Jinping has urged Middle Eastern countries to assume greater responsibility for regional security and to explore a new, locally-led security framework, during his first visit to the region in four years. Speaking in Cairo on Wednesday during talks with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, Xi said Beijing is […]

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CAIRO — Chinese President Xi Jinping has urged Middle Eastern countries to assume greater responsibility for regional security and to explore a new, locally-led security framework, during his first visit to the region in four years.

Speaking in Cairo on Wednesday during talks with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, Xi said Beijing is ready to work with regional partners to help protect key maritime routes, including those passing through the Red Sea and Suez Canal.

The two leaders also agreed to deepen cooperation on security and counterterrorism.

Xi’s trip comes at a time of persistent instability in the Middle East and mounting uncertainty about the long-term US role in the region.

Against that backdrop, China is positioning itself as both an economic partner and a diplomatic interlocutor.

Beyond security, China and Egypt pledged to expand economic ties. Discussions covered data centers, semiconductor development, critical minerals, and increasing trade settled in local currencies. China has already poured billions into Egyptian ports, industrial zones and infrastructure projects as part of its Belt and Road Initiative.

For Cairo, closer alignment with Beijing is part of a wider strategy to diversify foreign partnerships and attract investment. For Beijing, Egypt offers strategic weight: a central location, regional influence, and control of one of the world’s most important trade chokepoints.

The visit underscores China’s growing footprint in the Middle East — economically through investment, and diplomatically through calls for regional countries to shape their own security arrangements amid shifting global alliances.

Statement by the Presidency

According to Egypt State Information Service, below are the key points discussed by the two leaders:

At Al-Ittihadiya Palace, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, and the First Lady, Mrs. Entissar El-Sisi, received the President of the People’s Republic of China, President Xi Jinping, and his spouse, as part of the Chinese President’s official visit to Egypt.

-The reception ceremony included a guard of honor, a 21-gun salute, the playing of the national anthems of the Arab Republic of Egypt and the People’s Republic of China, and concluded with a commemorative photograph featuring both Presidents and First Ladies.

-The two leaders discussed a number of regional and international issues of common interest. They underscored the convergence of Egyptian and Chinese perspectives on the necessity of prioritizing diplomatic means for comprehensive, sustainable crisis resolutions.

-They also discussed efforts aimed at reducing tensions in the Middle East and affirmed their support for efforts to reach a comprehensive agreement to end the war.

-In this context, President El-Sisi stressed the priority of de-escalation, respect for the sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity of the Gulf Cooperation Council states and Jordan, as well as ensuring freedom of navigation, and sparing civilians the negative repercussions of the crisis.

-The talks also touched on developments in the Palestinian cause. President El-Sisi reaffirmed the need to reach a just settlement in accordance with international legitimacy resolutions. The President highlighted Egypt’s efforts toward implementing the second phase of the agreement to end the war in the Gaza Strip, emphasizing the importance of delivering adequate humanitarian aid to the Strip, particularly medical equipment and supplies.

-President El-Sisi also praised China’s support for the rights of the Palestinian people and the two-state solution as the only path toward achieving a just and lasting peace for the Palestinian and Israeli peoples and for the whole region.

-President El-Sisi further underscored the vital importance of the Nile River to Egypt as its primary lifeline, and stressed Egypt’s legitimate right to protect its water and food security as well as its development interests. The President called on all Nile Basin countries to adhere to international law, including the obligation not to cause harm.

-President Xi Jinping expressed his country’s appreciation for Egypt’s efforts, under President El-Sisi’s leadership, to establish peace and stability in its regional surroundings in the Middle East and Africa. He affirmed China’s keenness to strengthen the existing level of coordination between the two countries in various international forums and on regional and international issues of common interest, in a manner that contributes to supporting security and development, and peaceful dispute resolution.

-President Xi also reviewed China’s vision on a number of regional and international issues, asserting the importance of continuing joint efforts between the two countries to defend the interests of developing countries and enhance their role in shaping the future of the international order.

-The two presidents agreed to continue working to strengthen bilateral relations and intensify consultations on issues of common interest.

-On the sidelines of the visit, a number of important documents were also signed between Egyptian and Chinese entities, in addition to those signed in the presence of the two Presidents.