Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has held talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Cairo, as both countries move to strengthen their strategic, economic and diplomatic ties.
Xi, who is on his first visit to Egypt in a decade, was received by President Sisi at the Ittihadiya Presidential Palace, where he was accorded a 21-gun salute before the two leaders began their discussions.
The visit comes amid heightened security concerns in the Middle East, the ongoing U.S.-Iran war and growing threats to regional stability and international shipping.
During the talks, President Xi called on Middle Eastern countries to take greater responsibility for their own affairs and reject external interference.
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He said China supports regional dialogue on peace and security and is ready to work with countries in the region to safeguard international shipping routes.
China is a major importer of Iranian oil and has opposed efforts to isolate Tehran economically, while also seeking to protect its commercial and strategic interests in the region.
Economic cooperation also featured prominently in the discussions.
According to the Egyptian presidency, the two countries signed an agreement to launch the third phase of an Egyptian-Chinese industrial zone.
The industrial zone currently hosts about 200 companies, with investments estimated at four billion U.S. dollars.
Xi and Sisi, accompanied by their wives, later toured the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza, one of Egypt’s major cultural and tourism projects.
The visit underscores the growing partnership between Beijing and Cairo, with both countries expanding cooperation in trade, investment, diplomacy and regional security.
