Beijing gives weight to Cairo’s water security but China’s president does not criticise Ethiopia or its Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam
4-MIN READ4-MIN ListenJevans NyabiagePublished: 2:40pm, 3 Sep 2026Xi Jinping has urged Middle Eastern nations to build a self-led security model, signalling a push to cut reliance on Washington following further US-Iran military clashes, although China’s president did not position Beijing as an alternative security guarantor.
Analysts said the meeting reflected Egypt’s efforts to strengthen relations with China while maintaining its ties with the US.
Beijing and Cairo aligned on Gaza, Red Sea security and Sudan, while China gave greater weight than it had previously to Egypt’s concerns over Nile water.
01:10US launches more Iran strikes, hits oil tanker trying to break Hormuz blockadeThe meeting came days after the US launched fresh strikes against Iranian Revolutionary Guard targets following attacks on oil tankers near the Strait of Hormuz. The fighting raised fears of further disruption to oil shipments and pushed crude prices higher.
