{
  "id": 7133800,
  "title": "Xi puts China into the Middle East security equation",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/13/xi-puts-china-into-the-middle-east-security-equation",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-13T16:48:01.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Al Majalla English",
    "slug": "al-majalla-english",
    "url": "https://en.majalla.com/node/333021/politics/xi-puts-china-middle-east-security-equation"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Following Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s farewell to Chinese President Xi Jinping at Cairo Airport on September 2, the two leaders discussed regional security and coordination. Egypt was considering Xi’s proposal for a \"new security architecture\" for the Middle East, which Xi outlined in Cairo. The proposal placed security responsibility on regional states, addressed crises comprehensively, linked security to development, and relied on international law and the UN. This proposal emphasized China’s growing capacity to shape political and security arrangements in a changing strategic environment. Xi’s visit coincided with Chinese fighter aircraft participating in Egypt’s military exercises and Huawei proposing AI data centers in Egypt, potentially making China an alternative to US firms in defense and technology. Analysts noted a cool encounter between Xi and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian during the SCO summit, suggesting China may be pressing Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and resolve disputes with Saudi Arabia. New US sanctions against Iran bolster Beijing’s position, as Türkiye declared readiness to join the SCO as a full member, broadening the bloc’s presence in the Middle East. Qatar’s turn towards China, marked by a visit from the Qatari Foreign Minister, also received Xi’s attention. However, the proposal is difficult to examine without considering the Mecca Defence Alliance, a mutual defense pact between Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Türkiye, as well as China’s expanding ties with these countries.",
  "summary": "Xi puts China into the Middle East security equation newspress_en Sun, 09/13/2026 - 17:48 Politics Shortly after Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi bid farewell to Chinese President Xi Jinping at Cairo Airport on 2 September, he called Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The timing and substance of the call were significant. They discussed regional security and coordination between Cairo…",
  "key_points": [
    "Xi Jinping discussed Middle East security with Egyptian President al-Sisi",
    "Proposal for new security architecture emphasizes regional states' responsibility",
    "China's growing influence in defense and technology through Egypt and Türkiye"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Doha News",
        "title": "Uzbekistan condemns Middle East escalation, backs regional diplomatic efforts",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/13/uzbekistan-condemns-middle-east-escalation-backs-regional-diplomatic",
        "published": "2026-09-13T14:42:48.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Gulf News",
        "title": "Ajman named Middle East’s best emerging tourism destination for 2026",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/13/ajman-named-middle-easts-best-emerging-tourism-destination-for-2026",
        "published": "2026-09-13T19:19:38.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}