China’s Xi urges new Middle East security framework during rare Egypt visit

Chinese President Xi Jinping has called on Middle East countries to oppose external influence and consider reshaping the region's security order.

Key points

• It passes between Oman and Iran, and the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, which separates Yemen and the Horn of Africa.
• Xi's visit additionally comes after Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Pakistan last month signed the Mecca Defence Alliance.
• Xi is projected to head to the Grand Egyptian Museum overlooking the Giza Pyramids afterwards on Wednesday.
• Xi was greeted by el-Sisi and a 21-gun salute for discussions at the Ittihadiya presidential palace in the Egyptian capital.
• Sisi's office additionally stated the two countries signed an agreement to launch the third phase of the Egyptian-Chinese industrial zone at the Suez Canal.

Xi's remarks on Wednesday to his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, on his first visit to Cairo in a decade, come as Beijing seeks to expand its influence in the region against the backdrop of the United States-Israel war with Iran.

"We must uphold the principle that the people of the Middle East are the masters of their own affairs, oppose external interference support regional countries in strengthening dialogue on peace and security, " Xi remarked in a gathering with el-Sisi, according to Chinese state news agency Xinhua.

Notably, the discussions covered the six-month US-Israel war on Iran, with both presidents urging "diplomatic solutions" to reach a "comprehensive agreement to end the war", according to a statement from el-Sisi's spokesperson.

Sisi's office additionally stated the two countries signed an agreement to launch the third phase of the Egyptian-Chinese industrial zone at the Suez Canal. It authorities say already hosts 200 businesses and investments worth approximately $4bn.

For context, the new investments – for which Egypt has not confirmed a figure – provide Beijing even greater influence in the canal zone, a critical artery of global trade, as conflict in the region chokes traffic in the Strait of Hormuz. It passes between Oman and Iran, and the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, which separates Yemen and the Horn of Africa.

Xi remarked China "stands ready to work with countries in the region to safeguard the security of international shipping lanes, advance development cooperation. And eliminate the breeding grounds for conflict".

Though Egyptian authorities did not provide details, a series of extra agreements were additionally signed. Beijing seeks greater influence.

Beijing is eyeing a greater foothold in the Middle East, at a time when "the United States looks like it can't really make up its mind whether it wants to withdraw from the region or be more engaged", Mirette Mabrouk, a senior fellow at the Washington-based Middle East Institute, informed the AFP news agency.

China sees Egypt as a key partner and an entry point to more regional influence. For Egypt, closer ties with China are part of a broader effort to diversify partnerships rather than align with a single power, Mabrouk remarked.

Notably, the diplomatic campaign comes before an projected gathering between Xi and US President Donald Trump this month.

Cairo is one of the largest recipients of US military aid, receiving $1.3bn annually, and has historically served as a key Middle East mediator.

Xi's visit additionally comes after Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Pakistan last month signed the Mecca Defence Alliance. Experts have remarked the move demonstrates a desire by regional countries to diversify their security arrangements beyond Washington.

Meanwhile, the US-Israel war with Iran has led a number of regional allies to question the dependability of the traditional US security guarantee. Washington has, in turn, called on Gulf partners to take greater charge of their own regional deterrence.

For context, the pact contains a NATO-style Article 5 clause, meaning an armed attack on any of the three member states is considered an attack on all.

Authorities in Turkiye, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have stressed the pact is not meant to replace any pre-existing security deals.

As well as billboards showing el-Sisi and Xi, throughout Cairo, a megalopolis home to more than 26 million residents, major streets were lined on Wednesday with Chinese and Egyptian flags.

For now, china's Xi urges new Middle East security framework during rare Egypt visit remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.