Speaking during his visit to Egypt on Wednesday, Xi said Middle Eastern countries should use their own resources and capabilities to build a security system based on cooperation and mutual interests.
Xi made the remarks during a meeting with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi in Cairo. The visit is his first trip to Egypt in nearly 10 years.
The Chinese president presented a four-point proposal for a new security system in the Middle East. He called for common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security in the region.
Xi said Middle Eastern countries should make better use of their resources, develop a joint and coordinated strategy, strengthen the foundation for economic development, and improve international cooperation and communication.
He said implementing these four points was important for achieving peace and stability in the Middle East. China also expressed support for efforts by regional countries to develop friendly relations based on good-neighbourly ties.
Xi and el-Sisi also agreed to expand security cooperation between China and Egypt and strengthen joint efforts against terrorism. Amid tensions around the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab al-Mandab, Xi offered to work with regional countries to help protect international shipping routes in the region.
Egypt has traditionally been an important US ally and receives around $1.3 billion in military assistance from Washington each year. However, Cairo has increased its economic and military cooperation with Beijing in recent years.
Before Xi’s visit, el-Sisi said Egypt was following a policy of strategic balance amid growing competition between global powers.
The two countries have also expanded their military ties. Last month, Chinese J-16 fighter jets and French-made Rafale aircraft took part in joint military exercises in Egypt.
China and Egypt also agreed to increase cooperation in data centres, semiconductors and critical mineral supply chains. The two countries also agreed to encourage the use of their local currencies in trade and investment.
With a population of more than 110 million and control of the strategically important Suez Canal, Egypt is an important market for China. Egypt imported around $10 billion worth of goods from China during the first half of this year.
Chinese investment in Egypt has increased rapidly since the two countries signed a strategic partnership agreement in 2014.
Chinese companies have invested billions of dollars in projects including container manufacturing, green hydrogen, iron pipes, tyres and satellite production.
According to the Egyptian government, Chinese investment in the Suez Canal Economic Zone has reached around $4 billion.
On Wednesday, Egyptian authorities announced plans to expand a Chinese-supported industrial zone in the area. A Chinese company also signed an initial agreement to establish a tyre manufacturing complex worth around $500 million.
