On the Giza Plateau, the magnificent Grand Egyptian Museum stands side by side with the pyramids that have stood for thousands of years. This museum, called the "Fourth Pyramid" by locals, has preserved more than 100,000 precious cultural relics and carries the rich historical memory of an ancient civilization.
On the afternoon of September 2, local time, Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan, accompanied by Egyptian President Sisi and his wife Itisar, walked into this palace of civilization and visited. In front of the glass curtain wall, the two heads of state and their spouses took a group photo, capturing the precious moment.
Xi Jinping pointed out that China and Egypt are both ancient civilizations and major world heritage countries. The two civilizations have traveled in both directions across time and space, and have continued to write chapters of friendship between the two peoples for generations. Both sides should carry forward the civilizational outlook of equality, mutual learning, dialogue and inclusiveness, implement the global civilization initiative, jointly promote inclusive coexistence, exchanges and mutual learning of different civilizations, and bring together more civilizational forces to promote the construction of a community with a shared future for mankind.
Admire the exquisite and powerful stone carvings, pillars with inscriptions, the Pharaoh's throne, golden masks, and royal chariots... After more than an hour of visit, President Xi Jinping said with emotion: "I had a good study here today. This museum is an endless book."
There is an Egyptian proverb that says: "If you drink the water of the Nile, you will definitely come back again." Ten years ago, President Xi Jinping and President Sisi jointly attended the celebration of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Egypt and the opening ceremony of the 2016 China-Egypt Cultural Year in the ancient Luxor Temple Square. At night, the Chinese red lanterns and the Egyptian pyramids complement each other, and the Chinese and Egyptian civilizations met romantically in Luxor. President Xi Jinping said: "China and Egypt are both countries with ancient civilizations. It is necessary for us to strengthen people-to-people and cultural exchanges, deepen people-to-people friendship, consolidate the public opinion foundation for cooperation between the two countries, and promote common development and prosperity for both sides."
After a lapse of 10 years, President Xi Jinping returned to Cairo for a state visit to Egypt. In a signed article published by the local media, President Xi Jinping pointed out: "We must each appreciate the beauty of each other and set an example for civilizational exchanges. China and Egypt, two ancient civilizations, should promote the civilizational concepts of equality, mutual learning, dialogue, and tolerance, practice global civilization initiatives, actively protect human cultural heritage, and jointly promote the harmonious coexistence of different civilizations."
In the past 10 years, under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, China-Egypt cultural exchanges have continued to bear fruit:
In 2018, the China-Egypt joint archaeological project of Mentu Temple in Luxor was launched;
In 2020, two Luban workshops jointly built by China and Egypt were officially unveiled, and Chinese teaching was included in the Egyptian primary and secondary education syllabus;
In 2022, the China-Essakara joint archaeological project will be launched;
From July 2024 to August 2025, the "Top of the Pyramid: Ancient Egyptian Civilization Exhibition" was held at the Shanghai Museum. More than 780 precious cultural relics from the Nile River were displayed together with dozens of ancient Chinese cultural relics, attracting more than 2.77 million Chinese and foreign visitors... Egyptian archaeologist Alaa Manshawi was very moved: Such huge enthusiasm for viewing the exhibition not only stems from the public's thirst for knowledge, but also reflects the closeness and resonance between the two civilizations.
"The two ancient civilizations go in both directions, and the people of the two countries are increasingly familiar with each other." In 2025, the Grand Egyptian Museum opened, attracting a large number of Chinese tourists to "check in." As President Xi Jinping pointed out in his congratulatory letter to Egyptian President Sisi: China and Egypt, two ancient civilizations, should continue to deepen mutual learning among civilizations, continuously inject new momentum into the development of China-Egypt comprehensive strategic partnership, and gather civilizational forces for the construction of a community with a shared future for mankind. Ahmed Salame, a member of the Egyptian Foreign Affairs Committee, believes that this sends a clear signal that Egypt-China friendship is based on mutual respect, and also demonstrates a simple and profound truth-civilizations thrive through dialogue.
"Egypt and China are both ancient civilizations and important birthplaces of human civilization. Therefore, President Xi Jinping's advocacy of dialogue between civilizations is of unique significance. This is an effective way to promote exchanges between the two peoples and promote the development of bilateral relations." Ahmed Ghoinaim, director of the Grand Egyptian Museum, said that in order to improve the visiting experience of Chinese tourists, the Grand Egyptian Museum plans to launch a Chinese audio guide service. At the same time, it is discussing with Chinese universities, research institutions and museums to strengthen exchanges and cooperation and expand the cooperation space between the two parties in the fields of cultural heritage protection, academic research and museum operations.
Data show that Chinese tourists visiting Egypt will exceed 370,000 in 2025, becoming Egypt's second largest international tourist source market. Currently, there are more than 30 direct flights between China and Egypt every week. A tourist from Henan, China, lamented, "Although China and Egypt are thousands of miles apart, the people of the two countries have the same yearning for history, civilization and a better life."
Porcelain silk spreads across the sea, and beautiful quicksands appear. Although the two major civilizations of China and Egypt are far apart, they appreciate each other. The ancient Silk Road stretches for thousands of years, and the pace of friendly exchanges has never stopped. From the "endless book" of the Grand Egyptian Museum, people witness history, contemplate reality, and move toward the future.
