China, Egypt mark 70 years of formal ties

Experts from China and Egypt are calling for strengthened cultural and educational exchanges to deepen people-to-people relations as the two countries mark 70 years of diplomatic ties.

"Culture and the arts form a civilizational bridge and a deep-rooted history of effective strategic cooperation between China and Egypt," said Fan Di'an, chairman of the China Artists Association.

Cross-cultural collaboration, including in the arts and education, forms an essential foundation for building a sustainable and strategic future for bilateral relations, Fan said.

Deepening mutual appreciation for each other's heritage is a primary path to solidifying bonds between the two peoples, fostering human communication based on respect and shared understanding, he said.

Fan, who recently visited Egypt, said the two countries share rich historical and cultural parallels, visible in pottery, ceremonial masks, and symbols such as the lotus flower.

"Egypt and China possess world-class museums and iconic heritage sites, which stand as enduring symbols of their civilizations and reflect the deep and continuous cultural connections between the two nations from ancient times to the present," he said.

Addressing the "thirst" of Chinese people for Egyptian culture, Fan cited the yearlong exhibition, On Top of the Pyramid, in Shanghai that ended in August.

The exhibition welcomed more than 2.7 million visitors and had to remain open 24 hours a day during its final week because of overwhelming demand.

Yang Yi, Chinese consul-general in Alexandria, Egypt, said the 70th anniversary of diplomatic ties provides ample opportunities for exchange. The partnership has evolved into a comprehensive strategic friendship that translates the core values of both nations into fruitful cooperation, he said.

On May 30, 1956, Egypt became the first African country to establish diplomatic relations with China.

Hassan Wasfi, head of the Fine Artists Syndicate in Alexandria, echoed these sentiments, saying the bilateral relationship is anchored in history and evidenced by countless cultural events. Diverse activities, from music to fine arts exhibitions, serve as an enduring bridge for mutual understanding, he said.

Samir Mohamed, an independent expert on technology and education, called for integrating modern technologies, including artificial intelligence, into cultural production. The civilizational bond must extend from a glorious past to a bright future, rooted in sustainable development, he said.

"Over the past few years, China and Egypt have conducted more than 60 joint cultural events and artistic workshops," Mohamed said.

"From traditional music and folk arts to youth educational programs, these initiatives create a dynamic platform for artistic dialogue and strengthen enduring people-to-people connections between our two ancient civilizations.

"Educational cooperation between Egypt and China has grown significantly over the past decade," he said.

Language programs

Major universities, including Cairo University, Ain Shams University and Suez Canal University, now host Confucius Institutes or Chinese language departments, he said, while more than 14 Egyptian colleges offer Chinese programs nationwide.

Mohamed added that these initiatives respond to growing student interest in Chinese language and culture and strengthen long-term academic ties.

In archaeology, cooperation between China and Egypt has been growing in recent years, with joint excavation efforts continuing at the Karnak Temple Complex in Luxor, Egypt, which has already led to significant discoveries.

The joint archaeological dig, comprising members from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and Egypt's antiquities authorities, announced last month that they had uncovered a previously unknown sacred lake along with other artifacts at the complex, which could provide valuable clues to further research in ancient Egyptian history.

The writer is a freelance journalist for China Daily.