The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization hosted a major international event titled “When Yangtze Meets Nile,” organized in cooperation with Chongqing Municipality, China, attended by senior officials from both archaeology and culture sectors.

From the Egyptian side, participants included Dr. Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, Dr. Tayeb Abbas, CEO of the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, Dr. Ahmed Hamida, Head of the Museums Sector, along with several leaders from the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities. The high-level Chinese delegation included officials from the Communist Party and local government of Chongqing, Mr. Wu Lijun, Minister Plenipotentiary at the Chinese Embassy in Cairo and Director of the Chinese Cultural Center.

During the opening, Dr. Tayeb Abbas emphasized that the museum serves as a platform for dialogue, creativity, and cultural exchange, noting that the event embodies the museum’s philosophy of bridging the civilizations of the Nile and the Yangtze.

Dr. Mohamed Ismail Khaled highlighted that cultural and archaeological cooperation between Egypt and China spans over seven decades, explaining that next November will witness an international exhibition of Egyptian antiquities in Hong Kong, in addition to four Chinese archaeological missions currently working in Egypt.

Chinese officials praised the deep historical relations between the two countries, recalling that Egypt was part of the Silk Road and the first Arab country to establish diplomatic relations with Beijing, expressing their eagerness to enhance cooperation in culture, tourism, and trade.

The program included scientific lectures on the role of the Nile River in Egyptian civilization and the water heritage of the Yangtze River, along with a joint session discussing the joint application to list the Nile water level gauge at Al-Rawda and the Baiheliang site in China as a serial World Heritage property.

The event also featured workshops on traditional crafts, heritage artistic performances from Chongqing city, and the screening of the Egyptian-Chinese joint documentary film “When Yangtze Meets Nile.”

The program continues until September 8, hosting a cultural exhibition including digital displays and images about Chinese water heritage, traditional crafts and intangible heritage pavilions, as well as a special pavilion for Chinese brands under the slogan “China, Opportunity.”

The Chinese delegation concluded their visit with a tour inside the museum halls, including the central exhibition hall, royal mummies, and Egyptian textiles, expressing admiration for the artifacts that embody the richness and development of Egyptian civilization through the ages.

Participants confirmed that the event represents a living model of cultural cooperation between Egypt and China and reflects the leading role of the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization as a global bridge for dialogue and the convergence of civilizations.