Xi Jinping seals deals with Egypt as Beijing boosts clout

Chinese President Xi Jinping signed a slew of multi-billion-dollar deals with Egypt on Thursday as part of a regional tour aimed at bolstering Beijing’s economic ties and clout in West Asia.

After arriving late Wednesday from Saudi Arabia, Mr Xi held talks with Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and was to address the Cairo-based Arab League.

State television broadcast the live signing of bilateral agreements at a presidential palace in Cairo in the presence of the two leaders.

“The two sides have agreed to undertake 15 projects... Mainly in sectors like electricity, transportation and infrastructure,” Mr Xi said in a joint statement with Mr Sisi.

“The total investments in these projects would be $15 billion. These projects will offer a new impetus to the economic development of Egypt.” Mr Sisi said the agreements were the “best evidence of the two countries’ determination to improve their levels of cooperation”.

In an article in Al-Ahram ahead of his visit, Mr Xi expressed China’s backing for Egypt running its affairs without outside interference.