Xi Jinping Warns Middle East Conflicts Could Impact Africa’s Security and Economy
Chinese President Xi Jinping announced that China is ready to cooperate with African countries to prevent the spread of tensions and conflicts from the Middle East to the African continent. Xi made these remarks during a meeting with Mozambique’s President, Filipe Nyusi, in Beijing, describing the current period as a “challenging era.”
According to Chinese media, Xi referred to the aggressive war against Iran and stated that Middle Eastern conflicts are beginning to spill over into some African countries. He emphasized that China stands ready to promote peace alongside African nations and pursue a path of shared development.
Mao Ning, spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, explained that the two leaders agreed to elevate bilateral relations to “a China-Mozambique community with a shared future in the new era.” Mao noted that Xi stressed during the meeting that China and Africa, together with other Global South countries, represent “a just force in a turbulent and changing world.”
The Chinese president also underscored adherence to principles of peace, commitment to development, and strengthening mutually beneficial cooperation between Beijing and Maputo. Filipe Nyusi traveled to China last Thursday on an official visit, with this meeting aimed at expanding the political and economic ties between the two countries.
According to China’s customs statistics, bilateral trade volume between China and Mozambique reached $5.4 billion in 2025. This comes amid strategic competition between Beijing and Washington, which has extended in recent years to various regions of the world, including Africa, prompting some Western analysts to express concern over China’s growing economic and political influence on the continent.
The meeting between the Chinese and Mozambican leaders took place as global oil and food markets experienced significant fluctuations following the aggressive war involving the US and Israel and Iran’s response in closing the Strait of Hormuz. These developments could affect the economies of countries dependent on energy and food imports, including those in Africa.
