Cairo (AFP) - The Chinese president urged his Egyptian counterpart on Wednesday to oppose "external interference" in the Middle East and affirmed during his visit to Cairo that Beijing is willing to work to safeguard maritime transport threatened by the war in Iran.
First modification: 09/02/2026 - 13:37 Last modification: 09/02/2026 - 19:49
Chinese President Xi Jinping visits Egypt for the first time in a decade and was received by President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi with a 21-gun salute at the opulent presidential palace of Ittihadiya.
Beijing seeks to strengthen its presence in the region, in the context of the war between the United States and Iran that began in February.
"We must uphold the principle that the people of the Middle East are masters of their own affairs, oppose external interference and support countries in the region in strengthening dialogue on peace and security," Xi told the Egyptian president during the bilateral meeting, state news agency Xinhua reported.
China "is willing to work with regional countries to safeguard the security of international sea routes, promote development cooperation and eliminate hotspots that fuel conflicts," Xi said.
Xi's reference to shipping security comes amid concerns about global oil supply due to the conflict affecting the flow in the Strait of Hormuz.
As part of its policy of economic pressure, the United States promised in August to economically isolate Iran and threatened to expand sanctions on its partners. China, as a major buyer of Iranian oil, has vowed to defend its interests.
During the meeting, the leaders urged to seek "diplomatic solutions" to reach a "global agreement that ends the war" in the Middle East, according to a statement from Al Sisi's spokesman.
The Egyptian presidency indicated that both countries, members of the BRICS group of emerging economies, signed an agreement to launch the third phase of the Egyptian-Chinese industrial zone, which, according to authorities, already houses 200 companies and investments worth about $4 billion.
These new investments, the number of which has not been revealed by Egypt, give Beijing even greater influence in the Suez Canal area, a key global trade route at a time when the war blocks transit through other routes in the region, such as the Strait of Hormuz and the Strait of Bab al Mandeb.
China is one of the main exporters to Egypt, with a trade surplus of $12 billion in the first seven months of 2026, according to Chinese customs data.
Xi, who has brought China closer to Middle Eastern countries close to the United States, is scheduled to visit Washington in September to meet with US President Donald Trump.
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© 2026 AFP
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