Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty met Chinese special envoy Zhai Jun in Cairo on Tuesday to coordinate on regional stability, warning that military escalations and “unjustified” Iranian attacks could slide the Middle East into “total chaos.” Abdelatty expressed Egypt’s full solidarity with Gulf states and Jordan, stating that any violation of Arab sovereignty constitutes a direct threat to Egyptian and Arab national security. The meeting focused on de-escalating tensions and prioritising diplomatic dialogue.
The talks in Cairo, part of Zhai Jun’s regional tour, focused on de-escalating tensions and prioritising diplomatic dialogue. Abdelatty stressed that regional conflict must not divert attention from the “humanitarian catastrophe” in Gaza, calling for the immediate empowerment of the National Committee for Gaza Management to oversee the transitional phase until the Palestinian Authority can assume full responsibility for the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. On water security, Abdelatty reaffirmed that the Nile is a “lifeline” for Egypt amid “acute water scarcity,” “categorically rejecting” any unilateral actions on the transboundary river and insisting on cooperation based on international law. The ministers also discussed the “remarkable development” in bilateral relations as the two nations mark 70 years of diplomatic ties. Abdelatty sought increased Chinese investment to support the “localisation of industry,” technology transfer, and strengthening of industrial supply chains. Zhai Jun praised Egypt’s “pivotal role” in supporting regional security and stability, commending Cairo’s ongoing efforts to push for political settlements to conflicts across the Middle East.