By Wu Baoshu
As the war-weary Middle East has once again plunged into armed conflict, one fact strikes me every day: Egypt remains remarkably steady. As a Chinese journalist stationed in Cairo, I have come to realise that this stability is no accident of luck. It is the deliberate product of specific choices – choices that reflect a much broader strategic vision.
With profound changes reshaping the world on an epic scale, I have perceived a shared governing instinct in both China and Egypt – diplomacy over escalation, right over might, and development as top priority. These shared approaches help explain why bilateral relations are in the best shape ever, and why both countries play an important role in promoting regional stability and development, as well as in safeguarding the collective interests of developing nations.
When confronted with regional and global turmoil, both China and Egypt cling to a timeless doctrine: differences should be bridged at the negotiating table, not broken on the battlefield.
Nowhere is this dynamic more evident than in Egypt’s handling of the Gaza crisis. Throughout numerous rounds of conflict, Egypt played a pivotal mediating role, shuttling messages among parties and working to bridge differences. In the latest episode, Cairo helped secure a substantial ceasefire last October. In other regional crises, including the conflict in Sudan and the ongoing US-Israeli war with Iran, Egypt has likewise sought to act as a constructive intermediary.
Such a posture echoes China’s consistent advocacy for dialogue over confrontation. In 2023, China facilitated the historic normalisation of relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran, catalyzing what many described as a regional “reconciliation wave.” In 2024, it hosted reconciliation talks among representatives of 14 Palestinian factions. Regarding the latest regional conflagration, China has unequivocally urged restraint, stressed respect of all countries’ sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity, and called for a political resolution through dialogue and negotiations.
The unfolding upheaval in the Middle East reflects a broader shift in the international system: unilateralism, hegemonism, and power politics are rearing their heads once again. In such an environment fraught with uncertainties, both China and Egypt have stood out as staunch defenders of the basic norms of international relations and champions for greater global fairness and justice.
China has put forward a series of global initiatives, spanning development, security, civilisation and governance, all oriented towards building a community with a shared future for humanity and widely applauded by the international community. After the Global Governance Initiative (GGI) was introduced last September, it quickly won the support of more than 140 countries and international organisations, including many Arab states. Egyptian observers have shrewdly pinpointed the source of the GGI’s resonance: it articulates a long-standing frustration among developing nations regarding unequal representation and the perception that rules are applied selectively based on who is involved.
Hence, we often hear similar refrains from Egyptian leaders. In his speech at the BRICS leaders’ virtual summit in September, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi called for a more just and balanced world, pointing to the prevalence of blatant double standards, the flagrant violation of international law, and “an alarming escalation of unilateralism and protectionist measures.” That point was no rhetorical flourish. It was a recognition that global stability requires a baseline of fairness.
The final parallel is down to earth, and the one most cited by economists, investors, and the public: stability cannot endure without development that is felt on the ground. That’s why in the face of a volatile world, both China and Egypt place development at the top of their governance agendas.
China has recently adopted its 15th Five-Year Plan, upholding a strategic mechanism that has guided national development since 1953. Through the successive implementation of the previous 14 plans, China has transformed itself from a poor country into a leading engine of global economic growth. The latest plan lays out priorities for the next five years, offering not only a roadmap for China’s future but also a glimpse into the ample opportunities for countries around the world. Multiple priorities embedded in this new blueprint, such as technological innovation, digital transformation, high-level openness, and green transition, speak directly to what Arab countries need most right now.
Egypt, for its part, is pushing forward with industrialisation and economic restructuring under Vision 2030, with surging demand for infrastructure upgrades, manufacturing expansion, energy transition, and digital development. All that means great potential for deeper co-operation with China. During a visit to China last August, Egyptian Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouli expressed Cairo’s readiness to expand co-operation with China in areas such as renewable energy, electric vehicles, finance and desalination. All these sectors are closely tied to jobs, competitiveness, and people’s well-being.
As major developing countries and important members of the Global South, China and Egypt shoulder shared historical responsibilities. By jointly upholding multilateralism, advancing a more just and equitable international order, and pursuing win-win co-operation, the two countries can make even greater contributions to peace and development in their regions and beyond.
From what I have seen on the ground in Egypt, the real measure of that aspiration will be simple: whether diplomacy can create enough calm, and development enough dignity, for ordinary people to believe that the future is not condemned to repeat the past.
Wu Baoshu is a journalist of the Middle East Regional Bureau of China’s Xinhua News Agency and a researcher at the Xinhua Institute.
