As part of strengthening cultural cooperation and exchange between Egypt and the People’s Republic of China, the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC) hosted a major international event in collaboration with Chongqing Municipality under the theme “When the Yangtze Meets the Nile.”
The event was attended on the Egyptian side by Dr. Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities; Dr. El-Tayeb Abbas, CEO of NMEC; Dr. Ahmed Hemeida, Head of the Museums Sector; Dr. Ahmed Rahima, Advisor to the Minister of Tourism and Antiquities; Dr. Diaa Zahran, Head of the Jewish, Coptic, and Islamic Antiquities Sector; and Dr. Mohamed Abdel-Badie, Head of the Egyptian, Greek, and Roman Antiquities Sector.
From the Chinese side, participants included Mr. Jiang Hui, Standing Committee Member and Director-General of the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Chongqing Committee; Ms. Zhang Yaxi, Deputy Director-General of the Foreign Affairs Office of Chongqing Municipality; Mr. Shi Qiang, Party Secretary of the Chongqing Culture and Tourism Development Committee; Mr. Yan Bing, Party Secretary and Director-General of the Chongqing Broadcasting and Television Bureau; and Mr. Wu Lijun, Minister-Counselor at the Chinese Embassy in Cairo and Director of the Chinese Cultural Center, alongside senior representatives from Chongqing’s cultural, tourism, media, and foreign affairs institutions.
In his welcoming remarks, Dr. El-Tayeb Abbas emphasized that NMEC serves as a dynamic platform for dialogue, creativity, and cultural exchange, noting that the event symbolizes the museum’s mission of building bridges between two great civilizations—the Nile and the Yangtze.
Dr. Mohamed Ismail Khaled highlighted that cultural and archaeological cooperation between Egypt and China spans more than 70 years, pointing to the upcoming international exhibition of Egyptian antiquities in Hong Kong this November, four active Chinese archaeological missions in Egypt, as well as collaboration on underwater archaeology and World Heritage projects.
On his part, Mr. Zhang Wen, Standing Committee Member and Head of the Publicity Department of Chongqing, underlined the deep-rooted historical ties between the two nations, recalling that Egypt was part of the Silk Road and the first Arab country to establish diplomatic relations with China. He expressed China’s eagerness to expand cooperation in culture, tourism, and trade.
The program featured keynote lectures on the Nile’s role in the flourishing of Egyptian civilization, global hydrological heritage systems, and a recorded message from the Chinese side about the cultural significance of the Yangtze River. Discussions also addressed a joint proposal to inscribe the Nilometer at Al-Roda and China’s Baiheliang site on the UNESCO World Heritage List as a serial cultural property.
The event also included a high-level dialogue on the role of rivers in shaping civilizations, traditional crafts workshops, folk performances from Chongqing, and the screening of the joint Egypt–China documentary “When the Yangtze Meets the Nile.”
From September 2–8, 2025, NMEC will host a cultural exhibition featuring digital showcases and photography on China’s water heritage, along with displays on intangible heritage, traditional crafts, and a dedicated pavilion for Chinese brands under the theme “China, an Opportunity.”
The Chinese delegation toured the museum’s Central Exhibition Hall, the Royal Mummies Hall, and the Egyptian Textiles Hall, expressing admiration for the unique artifacts that reflect the richness and evolution of Egyptian civilization.
Participants affirmed that the event stands as a living example of cultural cooperation between Egypt and China, underscoring NMEC’s role as a global bridge connecting civilizations and fostering international partnerships rooted in dialogue, knowledge, and creativity.
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