Egypt's Antiquities Chief Holds Major International Press Conference in Hong Kong

As part of the official opening of the exhibition "Ancient Egypt Uncovers Its Secrets: Treasures from the Egyptian Museums" at the Hong Kong Palace Museum in the People's Republic of China, Dr. Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, held an extensive international press conference.

The conference witnessed the attendance of nearly 500 media and journalistic organizations, representing news agencies, television channels, newspapers, and magazines, both Chinese and international, reflecting the increasing global interest in Egyptian civilization and its unique heritage.

During his speech, the Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities expressed his pride in being at the Hong Kong Palace Museum, describing it as a distinguished cultural landmark that embodies a belief in the power of heritage and the resonance of history in the conscience of nations.

He also noted that the inauguration of this exhibition comes just days after the historic opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) on November 1st, positioning the exhibition as a new window onto more than five thousand years of Egyptian civilization. He described the exhibition as a civilizational dialogue bringing together the past and the present, Egypt and the world, and two cultures that share a profound appreciation for timeless human creativity.

Dr. Mohamed Ismail Khaled clarified that the exhibition features 250 distinctive artifacts selected from a collection of Egyptian museums, including the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir, and the museums of Marsa Matruh, Kafr El Sheikh, Luxor, Sohag, Suez, and Hurghada, in addition to the latest discoveries from the Saqqara archaeological site. He pointed out that the exhibition includes pieces previously displayed at the Shanghai Museum as part of the "Pyramid Summit: Ancient Egyptian Civilization" exhibition, which achieved massive success in China, receiving 2.7 million visitors during its run, reflecting the status of Egyptian civilization in the hearts of the Chinese public.

The Secretary-General affirmed that the opening of the Hong Kong exhibition represents an extension of the deep-rooted cultural partnership between Egypt and China, embodying the fruition of a shared passion for preserving human heritage and presenting it responsibly and inspiringly to a global audience. He also emphasized the symbolism of this cultural event, which coincides with the celebration of the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 2026, marking it as a new step toward enhancing their cultural and civilizational cooperation.

He added that four Chinese archaeological missions are currently operating in Egypt in the areas of Saqqara, Luxor, and Mit Rahina.

In concluding his speech, Dr. Mohamed Ismail Khaled extended his sincere thanks and appreciation to the management and team of the Hong Kong Palace Museum for their professional efforts, cultural vision, and commitment to organizing this outstanding event, affirming that this cooperation sets an example for fruitful cultural relations between Egypt and China.