Xi tells Egypt's Sisi 'external interference' in Middle East should be opposed
Chinese President Xi Jinping, second from left, and his wife Peng Liyuan, left, are welcomed by Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, right, and his wife Entissar Amerupon on their arrival at Cairo International Airport in Cairo, Tuesday. Xinhua-Yonhap
Chinese President Xi Jinping told his Egyptian counterpart on Wednesday that "external interference" in the Middle East should be opposed, Beijing's state media reported, following talks in Cairo between the two leaders.
"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 Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, according to Chinese state news agency Xinhua.
Xi is on his first visit to Egypt in a decade as Beijing seeks a greater foothold in the region against the backdrop of the U.S.-Iran war.
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 said during talks with Sisi that Beijing was willing to help protect maritime shipping from the energy-rich region, upended since U.S.-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.