CAIRO, Egypt — Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Egypt on Tuesday on a rare trip to the Middle East as both countries face the threat of US sanctions over financial links to Iran.

Xi and his wife were greeted on the tarmac by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sissi and the first lady, as well as a performance by an Egyptian folk dance troupe.

The two-day visit comes as both countries seek to manage the fallout of the months-long Middle East war, which began when the United States and Israel launched strikes against Iran on February 28, throwing the crucial trade region into crisis.

Washington vowed last month to destabilize Iran economically, warning of expanded sanctions against Tehran’s backers and partners that could hit Egyptian and Chinese banks, among others.

Xi’s visit “comes at a time when China’s economic interests are directly exposed to the US-Iran war,” said Gamal Salama, political science professor at Egypt’s Suez University.

China, a major buyer of Iranian oil, has presented itself as a neutral party in the Middle East conflict, repeatedly calling for a lasting ceasefire.

Egypt, a long-time recipient of US military aid, warned against regional escalation after a drone strike hit one of its ports in July.

China is “clearly seeking Egypt’s cooperation in managing and shaping regional affairs,” said Liu Jia, a research fellow at the Singapore-based Middle East Institute.

Beijing works closely with regional actors such as Egypt, which mediates between Israel and Palestinian groups, Liu added.

Both........

© The Times of Israel