Xi Jinping told Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in Cairo on Wednesday that "external interference" in the Middle East should be opposed, on his first visit to Egypt in a decade. Sisi had welcomed Xi at Cairo International Airport on Tuesday, and the visit came as Beijing sought a greater foothold in the region amid the U.S.-Iran war. On arrival Xi issued a written statement calling both countries important members of the "Global South", Taiwan's public broadcaster PTS reported.
What did Xi say about the region? Countries in the region, Xi said in remarks carried by Xinhua and reported by Channel News Asia, should be "masters of their own destiny" and explore a new regional "security architecture." His remarks, as carried from Xinhua by Taiwan's Central News Agency, also described the Palestinian issue as the core of the Middle East question and called on major powers from outside the region to abandon double standards. He offered to help safeguard international shipping lanes, which have been upended since U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran in late February triggered the war, the Korea Times reported.
What did the two sides agree? The leaders, who Taiwan's Central News Agency reported witnessed the signing of cooperation documents on the Belt and Road Initiative, artificial intelligence and trade, also issued a joint statement covering data centres, semiconductors and critical-mineral supply chains, as well as greater use of each other's currencies. They agreed to deepen security cooperation and counterterrorism coordination, Channel News Asia reported, citing Xinhua.
Where does Egypt stand between Washington and Beijing? Egypt receives around US$1.3 billion a year in U.S. military aid but has been expanding economic and military cooperation with China. Last month the two countries held joint exercises that included an air combat drill involving Chinese-made J-16 jets and French-made Rafale aircraft. In an article published ahead of the visit, Sisi said Egypt pursued a policy of "strategic balance" at a time of growing global rivalry, Channel News Asia reported.
Where else is Xi travelling? Xi came to Cairo from Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, where, the Korea Times reported, he had attended a Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit. The two stops are part of what the Japan Times reported is shaping up as his busiest travel schedule in more than seven years, and he is widely expected to attend a BRICS summit hosted by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The last time he was as active abroad was mid-2019, when he visited five countries including North Korea.
Figures referenced: Xi Jinping. — JudgeMarket.
