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Xi's visit to Egypt comes against the backdrop of the US-Iran war, as Beijing seeks a greater foothold in the region.
Reuters/File
Chinese President Xi Jinping told Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Wednesday that external interference in the Middle East should be opposed, Beijing's state media reported.
The remarks came during talks in Cairo, on Xi's first visit to Egypt in a decade, as China seeks a greater foothold in the region.
What did Xi say about external interference in the Middle East?
Xi said the people of the Middle East should remain masters of their own affairs, calling for opposition to external interference while backing stronger regional dialogue on peace and security. Xinhua reported the remarks were made during Xi's talks with Sisi in Cairo on Wednesday.
"We must uphold the principle that the people of the Middle East are the masters of their own affairs, oppose external interference (and) support regional countries in strengthening dialogue on peace and security," Xi told Sisi, according to Chinese state news agency Xinhua.
Why is Xi visiting Egypt amid the US-Iran war?
Xi's visit comes against the backdrop of the US-Iran war, as Beijing seeks a greater foothold in the region. Washington vowed last month to isolate Iran economically, threatening expanded sanctions that could also hit Chinese banks, among others. China, a major buyer of Iranian oil, has vowed to safeguard its interests.
Xi also told Sisi that Beijing was willing to help protect maritime shipping from the energy-rich region, upended since US-Israeli strikes on Iran in late February triggered the war. "China stands ready to work with countries in the region to safeguard the security of international shipping lanes, advance development cooperation... and eliminate the breeding grounds for conflict," Xi said, according to Xinhua.
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