Xi Jinping Calls for New Middle East Security Architecture, Says Palestine Cannot Be Marginalized
Chinese President Xi Jinping has called on Middle Eastern countries to take a greater role in shaping the region’s future security system, backing the creation of a new Middle East security architecture while opposing external interference.
Xi made the remarks during high-level talks with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in Cairo, where the two leaders discussed bilateral cooperation, regional developments and wider geopolitical tensions.
China Backs Regional Control of Middle East Security
Xi said China supports Middle Eastern countries in building a new security framework and argued that the people of the region should remain in control of their own affairs.
He called for external interference to be rejected and urged China and Egypt to oppose unilateral actions and what he described as bullying.
The Chinese president advocated a comprehensive approach to regional security, suggesting that long-term stability requires cooperation among countries in the region rather than relying primarily on outside powers.
Xi Says Palestine Must Remain Central
One of the most significant elements of Xi’s message was his emphasis on Palestine.
He said the Palestinian issue remains central to the broader Middle East question and should not be overlooked or marginalized.
Xi also called for the United Nations to play an effective role in regional affairs and urged outside powers to avoid what he described as double standards when dealing with Middle Eastern conflicts.
Strait of Hormuz Adds Global Dimension
Xi’s comments come amid heightened tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, particularly as the US-Iran conflict creates concerns about the security of international shipping.
The Strait is a critical global maritime chokepoint through which substantial volumes of energy supplies and commercial traffic pass.
Xi said China is prepared to work with Middle Eastern countries to help safeguard international shipping lanes, adding an economic and global-security dimension to China’s growing engagement with the region.
China and Egypt Expand Cooperation
Xi arrived in Cairo for a two-day state visit, marking his first visit to Egypt in a decade.
During his discussions with Sisi, Xi also called for deeper cooperation between China and Egypt in areas including green energy, electric vehicles, aerospace, the digital economy and modern agricultural technology.
China and Egypt have maintained diplomatic relations since 1956. Their relationship was elevated to a strategic partnership in 1999 and later upgraded to a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2014.
Why Xi’s Message Matters
Xi’s remarks highlight China’s broader effort to strengthen its diplomatic and economic role in the Middle East.
By emphasizing regional ownership, opposition to external interference and the importance of the Palestinian issue, Beijing is presenting an alternative vision for how Middle Eastern security could be managed.
At the same time, China’s willingness to cooperate on the security of international shipping lanes demonstrates how regional conflicts can have consequences far beyond the Middle East, particularly for energy markets, global trade and supply chains.
