Xi Jinping and the story of exchange between two ancient civilisations
Beijing (ANTARA) - President Xi Jinping’s visit to Egypt in 2016 was not only part of the diplomatic relations between the two countries, but also a moment to trace the history of exchange and mutual learning between two ancient civilisations, China and Egypt.
“Wherever I go on my foreign visits, what attracts my attention most is the civilisation created by the people of different countries and ethnic groups,” President Xi Jinping was quoted as saying on one occasion, as reported by Xinhua.
Egypt, the birthplace of one of the world’s oldest civilisations, held a special appeal for Xi. “I admire the Nile, the mother of Egyptian civilisation, and am amazed by the wisdom and strength of the Egyptian people,” Xi wrote in a signed article published in an Egyptian newspaper before his first state visit to Egypt in 2016.
A decade later, as Xi prepares to make his second state visit to Egypt, the Nile will continue to witness more remarkable stories of exchange and mutual learning between the two ancient civilisations.
With a deep interest in diverse cultures and histories, Xi has made visits to historical sites part of his overseas trips, from the ancient Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza in Mexico to the Acropolis Museum in Athens and the Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram in India.
Under a clear night sky in Luxor, Xi and Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi visited an ancient temple on the city’s main thoroughfare. As they walked, Xi and Sisi exchanged views on the distinctive features of their two ancient civilisations, while recalling the long history of exchange and mutual learning between them.
More than 2,000 years ago, China and Egypt were connected through the ancient Silk Road, which served not only as a route for the exchange of porcelain and glassware, but also of knowledge and ideas between the two civilisations.
Xi said the archaeological sites in Luxor provide a rich picture of ancient Egyptian civilisation and offer abundant material for studying its history, culture, society and technological development.
Mamdouh Eldamaty, who was then Egypt’s minister of antiquities and accompanied Xi on his visit to Luxor, said Xi showed great interest in ancient Egyptian civilisation, with his remarks reflecting deep historical insight and strategic vision.
The archaeologist said he was deeply impressed by Xi’s broad knowledge, open-mindedness, strong appreciation of culture, and humble attitude towards learning.
At the iconic Luxor Temple, Xi and Sisi jointly witnessed the launch of the 2016 China-Egypt Culture Year, a significant moment in bilateral cultural exchange.
The event marked the first time China had jointly organised a Culture Year with an Arab country, opening a new chapter of cultural interaction between China, Egypt and the wider Arab world in the years that followed.