Chinese President Xi Jinping told Egypt’s prime minister on Thursday that Beijing hopes to work with his country to bring “more stability” to the Middle East, state media reports, as the Israel-Hamas conflict cast a shadow over the region.

“China is willing to enhance cooperation with Egypt… and inject more certainty and stability into the region and the world,” Xi told Mostafa Madbouli at a meeting in Beijing, according to state broadcaster CCTV.

“China and Egypt are good friends who share the same goals and trust each other, and good partners who work hand-in-hand for development and common prosperity”, CCTV reported Xi as saying.

“At present, the international and regional situation is undergoing profound and complex changes, and the world is experiencing rapid changes not seen for a century,” Xi added.