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

Chinese President Xi Jinping urged Middle Eastern nations to resist external influence and reconsider the region's security structure during his inaugural visit to Egypt in over a decade. His remarks to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi during their meeting at the Ittihadiya presidential palace highlighted the need to uphold the principle that the people of the Middle East control their own affairs and oppose outside interference.

Xi emphasized support for regional nations in strengthening dialogue on peace and security. The two presidents urged diplomatic solutions to end the six-month US-Israel war on Iran and signed an agreement to launch the third phase of an Egyptian-Chinese industrial zone at the Suez Canal. This zone currently houses 200 companies and investments worth around $4 billion, bolstering China's influence in the canal, a vital global trade artery threatened by regional conflicts.

Xi pledged China's readiness to collaborate with regional countries to ensure maritime security, foster development cooperation, and eradicate conflict breeding grounds. Additional agreements were also signed, but Egyptian officials did not disclose further details.