Xi Jinping and Abdel Fattah El-Sisi visit Grand Egyptian Museum, highlighting ties between ancient civilizations
History has connected peoples long before the emergence of modern borders and political alliances. China and Egypt, two ancient civilizations with rich cultural legacies, view mutual respect and exchanges as an important foundation for closer ties.
On Wednesday, Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife, Peng Liyuan, visited the Grand Egyptian Museum together with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and his wife, Entissar El-Sisi.
The two presidents and their wives viewed exquisite stone sculptures and inscribed columns before admiring the pyramids from an observation platform at the museum.
In the Tutankhamun exhibition hall, they viewed valuable ancient Egyptian artifacts, including the pharaoh's throne, the famous golden mask and royal chariots.
Xi Jinping noted that China and Egypt are ancient civilizations with rich cultural heritage, much of which is recognized as World Heritage. He said that across time and space, the two civilizations have reached out to one another, opening new chapters in the enduring friendship between the two peoples.
Xi called on both sides to uphold a vision of civilization based on equality, mutual learning, dialogue and inclusiveness, and to jointly implement the Global Civilization Initiative.
He also called for efforts to promote inclusive coexistence and mutual learning among different civilizations and to bring together the strengths of various civilizations in building a community with a shared future for humanity.
El-Sisi thanked Xi Jinping for his congratulations on the opening of the museum last year. He noted that the ancient Egyptian and Chinese civilizations share qualities including openness, inclusiveness and harmonious coexistence amid diversity.
According to the Egyptian president, these principles closely correspond with the Global Civilization Initiative proposed by Xi Jinping. Egypt is ready to work with China to expand people-to-people and cultural exchanges, promote mutual learning among civilizations and contribute to a more harmonious and inclusive world.
Background: The Grand Egyptian Museum is located near the Giza pyramids and is one of Egypt's largest museum projects. Its collections cover a broad span of ancient Egyptian history, with the heritage of Pharaoh Tutankhamun occupying a prominent place in the exhibitions.
As reported by CCTV+, the museum visit became a symbolic moment in China-Egypt cultural dialogue, highlighting the importance of exchanges between the two ancient civilizations.
