Egypt

Chinese media: Sisi’s visit to Russia an “historic” breakthrough

The mainstream Chinese media on Friday focused on the visit of Field Marshal Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Foreign Minister Nabil Fahmy to Russia, highlighting Putin’s strong support for Egypt and for Sisi to run in the upcoming presidential elections.
 
They also highlighted the military cooperation between the two countries, and what they called a “transformation in the strategic compass of Egyptian foreign policy from Washington to Moscow.”
 
The People’s Daily, the mouthpiece of the Chinese Communist Party, in its Friday issue said the visit is of vital importance, as it comes after Sisi was promoted to field marshal and the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces approved his candidacy in the presidential elections, adding that the visit in an “historic” breakthrough in Egyptian-Russian relations.
 
It also said Russia is urged to regain her role in the Middle East as a superpower with influence, therefore needs Egypt, it being the leading country of the region.
 
The Chinese Oriental Morning Post, based in Shanghai, said Putin’s support for Sisi means Russia is confident that he is the man that has the ability to lead the country in this vital period of transition.
 
It also said that Egypt has political clout in the Middle East that makes it the focus of both the United States and Russia, adding that Egypt was an important ally to the Soviet Union before 1979 when President Sadat signed a peace treaty with Israel and shifted the country towards the United States.
 
It went on to say that Egyptian-American relations were strained after the overthrow of President Mohamed Morsy, with Washington freezing US$1.5 billion in aid to Egypt, which makes the visit a gradual shift for Egypt to diversify its economic and military sources.
 
The Cankao Xiaoxi newspaper focused on Putin reiterating to Sisi the importance of Egypt in the region and the fact that its stability means that of the entire Middle East.
 
The English-language Global Times said the main objective of the visit was to sign an agreement worth $2 billion for the purchase of sophisticated weapons, including anti-missile systems, helicopters, fighter MiG-29 jets, and anti-tank systems, pointing out that Washington refused to sell these types of weapons to Egypt.
 
 
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
 

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