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Xi Jinping calls for new Middle East security framework during Egypt visit

From CNA · () English

Translated from English and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

Newswire Named sources Ongoing story
  • Xi Jinping urged Middle Eastern countries to become "masters of their own destiny" and consider reshaping the region’s security architecture during his visit to Egypt.
  • China and Egypt agreed to deepen security and counterterrorism cooperation, protect shipping routes and expand cooperation in data centers, semiconductors and critical metals.
  • The visit reflects Egypt’s effort to diversify its partnerships and China’s push to expand its economic and diplomatic influence in the region as conflict disrupts trade and maritime traffic.

China is offering to help protect shipping in the Middle East as conflict disrupts maritime routes and regional governments reconsider their strategic relationships. President Xi Jinping made the offer during talks with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in Cairo, where he also urged countries in the region to shape their own security order.

masters of their own destiny

· Xi JinpingXi urged Middle Eastern countries to take greater control of their regional affairs.

Xi said Middle Eastern nations should be "masters of their own destiny" and explore a new regional "security architecture," according to China’s state news agency Xinhua. He called for opposition to external interference and said China was ready to work with regional countries to safeguard shipping routes, whose importance has grown after fighting disrupted traffic through the Strait of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandeb.

The two leaders agreed to deepen security cooperation and coordinate on counterterrorism, Xinhua reported. A joint statement also said they would expand work on data centers, semiconductors and critical-metal supply chains. China and Egypt further agreed to increase the use of each other’s currencies in trade and investment.

security architecture

· Xi JinpingXi called for the region to consider reshaping its security order.

Xi’s visit was his first trip to the Middle East in four years, while a separate broadcast description identified it as his first trip to Egypt in a decade. He received a military ceremony at Cairo’s airport from Sisi. Egypt remains a major U.S. defense partner and receives about $1.3 billion a year in military aid from Washington, but it has also expanded economic and military cooperation with China.

strategic balance

· Abdel Fattah al-SisiSisi described Egypt's policy toward major powers amid global rivalry.

Sisi described Egypt’s approach as one of "strategic balance" amid intensifying global rivalry. Former Egyptian diplomat Ayman Zaineldine said Egypt wanted to widen its relationships with major powers, including China. For Beijing, Egypt offers a large domestic market, investment opportunities and diplomatic influence in the region, including on the Palestinian issue.

Egypt wants to widen the circle of its relations with major world powers, including China. So the visions converge.

· Ayman ZaineldineThe former Egyptian diplomat explained why Cairo and Beijing are drawing closer.
About this summary

Originally published by CNA in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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