CAIRO ; Chinese President Xi Jinping called on Middle Eastern nations to forge a new regional security order and resist external interference during a state visit to Egypt on Wednesday.
Making his first trip to the region in four years, President Xi urged countries to become “masters of their own destiny” by establishing a updated security architecture and working collaboratively to protect vital shipping lanes—a key concern following severe disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandeb.
President Xi was received with military honors by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in Cairo. The meeting underscores a broader shift among regional nations seeking to balance alliances as ongoing conflict reshapes global trade and energy security.
According to a joint statement released by state media, China and Egypt agreed to deepen security and counterterrorism coordination. The two nations also pledged to expand economic cooperation into high-tech and strategic sectors, including data centers, semiconductors, and critical metals, while increasing the use of local currencies for trade and investment.
Egyptian officials framed the meeting as part of Cairo’s strategy to maintain international balance and diversify partnerships beyond traditional Western allies. For Beijing, closer ties with Egypt offer an opportunity to expand its economic footprint and strengthen its strategic role in the Middle East.
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