China has backed Egypt’s right to protect its water security amid the unresolved dispute with Ethiopia over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, strengthening Cairo’s diplomatic position as tensions over the Nile and Red Sea continue to grow.
CAIRO, Egypt (Somali Report) — China has publicly backed Egypt’s right to protect its water security, food supplies and development interests, in a move that brings Beijing closer to Cairo’s position in its long-running dispute with Ethiopia over the Nile and the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam.
The position was set out in a joint statement issued by China and Egypt following Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to Cairo on September 1 and 2, where he held talks with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.
Beijing said it recognised the “great importance” of the Nile River to Egypt, describing it as the country’s main lifeline. China also recognised what it called Egypt’s legitimate right to safeguard its water and food security as well as its development interests.
The two countries called on all Nile basin states to respect international law, particularly the principle that countries should not cause significant harm to one another.
Egypt, meanwhile, reiterated its support for the “one-China” principle and recognised Taiwan as part of Chinese territory.
The Chinese position represents a significant diplomatic boost for Cairo as negotiations between Egypt and Ethiopia over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, or GERD, remain unresolved.
Egypt has repeatedly called for a legally binding agreement governing the operation of the massive dam, particularly during prolonged periods of drought. Cairo fears that unilateral decisions by Addis Ababa over water releases could threaten supplies to a country that depends overwhelmingly on the Nile.
Ethiopia argues that it has a sovereign right to use the Nile’s waters to generate electricity and support economic development. Addis Ababa has maintained that the dam will not cause significant harm to Egypt or Sudan.
Ethiopia has also rejected any arrangement that it believes could give Egypt control over how it uses its water resources.
Ethiopian officials and experts have repeatedly argued that Nile waters should be managed according to the principle of equitable and reasonable use by all countries sharing the river.
Dispute widens into Horn of Africa
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The Nile dispute has increasingly moved beyond water management, becoming part of a wider strategic rivalry involving the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea.
Egypt has strengthened military and security ties with countries neighbouring Ethiopia, particularly Somalia and Eritrea, while expanding its regional presence.
A report published by The National in July said Cairo had deployed additional forces to Somalia and obtained access or facilities for its naval forces in Eritrea, Somalia and Djibouti. The moves have been viewed as part of Egypt’s broader effort to increase pressure on Ethiopia.
Cairo has also strongly opposed Ethiopia’s efforts to secure permanent access to the Red Sea, particularly following Addis Ababa’s controversial agreement with Somaliland.
Egypt has firmly backed Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and deepened military cooperation with Mogadishu. Ethiopia, meanwhile, considers access to the sea increasingly important to its economic and strategic future.
Former Egyptian diplomat Mohammed Hegazi has argued that the GERD dispute can no longer be separated from wider developments in the Horn of Africa, including Red Sea security, Ethiopia’s push for maritime access and competition among regional powers.
China’s backing therefore carries particular weight for Egypt, given Beijing’s extensive economic and diplomatic relationships with both Cairo and Addis Ababa.
The United States has previously attempted to mediate the dispute, but negotiations have failed to produce a lasting agreement. Ethiopia rejected an agreement prepared with US involvement during Donald Trump’s first presidency, while subsequent efforts to revive negotiations have made little visible progress.
China’s latest position is unlikely to resolve the dispute over the GERD, but it provides Egypt with important diplomatic support from a major global power with significant interests in both countries.
It also underscores how a dispute that began primarily as a disagreement over a dam and water allocation is becoming increasingly intertwined with the broader contest for influence across the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea.
About the Author
Ahmed Omar is a senior journalist for Somali Report, based in Mogadishu. He has two decades of experience reporting on Somalia for international and local media. He covers politics, security, governance, business, trade, economic developments and regional affairs.
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