Cairo: Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday urged countries to oppose "external interference" in the Middle East and said Beijing was ready to work with regional states to safeguard maritime shipping, jeopardised by the US-Iran war. Xi's remarks to his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, on his first visit to Cairo in a decade, come as Beijing seeks a greater foothold in the region, expanding investment while managing fallout from the war.
According to France24.com, Xi emphasized the principle that the people of the Middle East should be the masters of their own affairs, opposing external interference and supporting regional dialogue on peace and security. Xi was greeted by Sisi with a 21-gun salute at the Ittihadiya Presidential Palace, where they discussed the ongoing US-Iran conflict. Both leaders called for diplomatic solutions to reach a comprehensive agreement to end the war.
The leaders also signed an agreement to initiate the third phase of the Egyptian-Chinese industrial zone at the Suez Canal, which is already home to 200 companies with investments around $4 billion. The new investments, though unspecified by Egypt, could increase Beijing's influence in the canal zone, an important global trade route affected by regional conflict.
Xi stated China's readiness to collaborate with regional countries to safeguard international shipping lanes, advance development cooperation, and eliminate conflict breeding grounds. Several additional agreements were signed, though Egyptian officials did not provide details.
Beijing is looking to expand its influence in the Middle East as the United States appears uncertain about its engagement in the region, according to Mirette Mabrouk of the Middle East Institute. China views Egypt as a key partner and a gateway for increased regional influence, while Egypt seeks to diversify its partnerships rather than align with a single power.
Sisi highlighted Cairo's independent foreign policy in a recent op-ed, amid US sanctions targeting an Egyptian bank's Emirati branch. The US has threatened expanded sanctions, potentially affecting Chinese banks, as it aims to isolate Iran economically. China, a significant Iranian oil buyer, has pledged to protect its interests and is strengthening ties with US-friendly regional nations ahead of Xi's expected meeting with US President Donald Trump.
Despite being a major recipient of US military aid, Egypt has fostered closer ties with China, conducting joint air combat exercises in August featuring China's J-16 fighter jet. China is a major exporter to Egypt, with a trade surplus of $12 billion in early 2026, according to Chinese customs data. Major streets in Cairo have been adorned with Chinese and Egyptian flags, celebrating Xi's visit. Xi is expected to visit the Grand Egyptian Museum overlooking the Giza Pyramids later on Wednesday.