Chinese President Xi Jinping urged Middle Eastern nations to oppose 'external interference' and emphasized Beijing's readiness to collaborate with regional states to protect maritime shipping, threatened by the US-Iran conflict. Xi's remarks were made during a meeting with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in Cairo, marking his first visit to Egypt in a decade. Xi stressed the importance of the Middle East determining its own affairs and called for strengthened dialogue on peace and security. The talks between the two leaders focused on the US-Iran conflict, with both advocating for diplomatic solutions and a comprehensive agreement to end the war.
Xi's visit comes as China seeks to expand its influence in the Middle East, increasing investment while managing the repercussions of the six-month conflict. The two leaders signed an agreement to launch the third phase of the Egyptian-Chinese industrial zone at the Suez Canal, which already hosts 200 companies and investments worth around $4 billion. This new phase of investment is expected to further solidify Beijing's influence in the canal zone, a critical artery of global trade, especially as regional conflicts choke other trade routes.
Additional agreements were signed covering China's Belt and Road Initiative, information technology, transport, industry, and supply chains. The two sides also agreed to expand cooperation in data centres, cloud computing, semiconductors, and critical metals supply chains, while promoting the use of their national currencies in trade. Beijing is looking to strengthen its foothold in the Middle East, particularly as US engagement in the region appears uncertain.
Mirette Mabrouk, a senior fellow at the Washington-based Middle East Institute, noted that the US's inconsistent approach to the region has created an opportunity for China to deepen its ties. China views Cairo as a key regional partner, with ties growing through increased trade and joint military exercises. For Egypt, closer ties with China are part of a strategy to diversify partnerships rather than rely solely on the US, which is a major provider of military aid to Cairo.
Sisi highlighted Cairo's 'independent foreign policy' in an op-ed published in Egyptian media, days after the Emirati branch of Egypt's second-largest bank, Banque Misr, was targeted by US sanctions. Washington has vowed to isolate Iran economically, threatening expanded sanctions that could also impact Chinese banks. China, a major buyer of Iranian oil, has pledged to protect its interests. Ahead of an expected meeting between Xi and US President Donald Trump, China has been working to strengthen ties with US-friendly regional nations.
For Bangladesh, China's growing influence in the Middle East underscores the importance of maintaining balanced international relations. As a nation with significant trade and investment ties with both China and the Middle East, Bangladesh must navigate these complex geopolitical dynamics to ensure its economic and strategic interests are protected. The evolving relationships in the region will likely have implications for Bangladesh's foreign policy and economic strategies.