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

Chinese President Xi Jinping addressed both China and Egypt on September 2, 2026, urging the two nations to bolster mutual support and deepen cooperation in the face of global turbulence. Xi and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi met in Cairo to strengthen ties, noting that Egypt was the first Arab and African nation to establish diplomatic relations with China in 1956.

Over the past seven decades, the China-Egypt relationship has flourished through equality, mutual trust, friendship, learning, solidarity, and win-win cooperation, Xi said. The China-Egypt comprehensive strategic partnership has seen significant growth in recent years, Xi added, as both nations share similar goals in development, well-being, and international fairness and justice.

Xi emphasized that China and Egypt should steadfastly support each other, boost high-level exchanges, and expand cooperation in various fields such as infrastructure, energy, agriculture, and technology. The two sides should collaborate on green energy, electric vehicles, aerospace, the digital economy, and modern agriculture, he advised.

Furthermore, Xi called for enhanced people-to-people exchanges and strengthened security cooperation, including joint efforts against transnational crime, corruption, and terrorism. He also suggested promoting multilateral collaboration on platforms like the United Nations and BRICS to advance the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum and the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation.

Xi stressed the importance of opposing unilateralism and bullying while advocating for a more just and equitable global governance system.

Egyptian President El-Sisi enthusiastically welcomed Xi's historic state visit, highlighting the steady development of bilateral ties since 1956. He expressed Egypt's unwavering adherence to the one-China principle and its commitment to further strengthening the comprehensive strategic partnership. Sisi pledged to work closely with China to boost cooperation in trade, investment, infrastructure, finance, science, technology, and new energy, while also deepening military and security exchanges and promoting closer people-to-people connections.

He emphasized that China, as a permanent UN Security Council member, plays a crucial role in global affairs, and Egypt is eager to collaborate with China on international challenges and uphold fairness and justice worldwide.