Cultural exchanges between China and Egypt have a long history, which can be dated back to around 1200 years ago. At that time, the exchanges were not consistent due to the lack of convenient transportation.

Since the foundation of new China in 1949, especially after the Bandung Conference, the China-Egypt relations in all fields were largely improved including the cultural relations. In March 1956, the Cultural Cooperation Accord between the two governments was singed, which symboled start of a new era of the bilateral cultural exchanges. Later the mechanism of signing of the implementation accord was also established, which has never stopped ever since.

From 1980's to the mid and late 1990's, Chinese Cultural Ministers including Mr. Liu Zhongde, Mr. Meng Xiaosi, Mr. Zhu Muzhi and Mr. Wangmeng, Vice Chairmen of the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles, Mr. Yin Shoushi, Mr. Li Ying, Mr. Feng Jicai, Mr. Zhao Zhihong and other important figures have paid visits to Egypt; From the Egyptian side, Chairman of the Writers' Association, Mr. Abazar, Chairman of the Federation of Arabic Artists, Mr. Wahbi, Secretary General of the Supreme Cultural Committee, Mr. Gaber Asfour, and the Cultural Minister, Mr. Farouk Hosni, and other important figures have visited China.

On 14 December. 2001, a new Cultural Cooperation Accord was signed in Beijing. The China-Egypt cultural exchanges stepped into a new period, which is characterized by more frequent and multi-layered exchanges. Governmental and non-governmental exchanges became much more active. Especially, the troupes from Egypt to China largely increased. In 2000, 5 Egyptian artistic troupes with more than 100 members visited China and participated several international cultural festivals held in different cities in China, which set a new record. Each year, various kinds of Chinese performing art troupes also visit Egypt and participated in the world famous art festivals and competitions such as the Ismailia International Folklore Art Festival, Cairo International Book Fair, Cairo International Film Festival (which just established the sistership with Shanghai International Film Festival) and so on. This year, for the first time in history, Chinese Government sent a modern drama troupe to Cairo to participate in the Cairo International Experimental Theater Festival.

Besides, the bilateral cultural exchanges in the fields of literature, cultural relics, sports, youth affairs and etc. are also booming.

The China-Egypt cultural exchanges enjoy a solid foundation, which promises prosperous prospects. China and Egypt are two of the four world ancient civilizations blessed with rich and marvelous cultural heritages and developing countries faced with the talks of developing national economy and culture. In the past dozens of years, the political ties between the two countries were strengthened so did the cultural relations. Undoubtedly, these relations will surely be further strengthened.

China-Egypt Cultural Exchanges in 2002

In the year 2002, the undertaking of Sino-Egyptian cultural exchanges was marked with great fruitfulness. The bilateral cultural relations have gained further and healthier development. The visiting Chinese Delegations to Egypt from the various fields of culture, art, tourism, sports, broadcasting, T.V. and film industry amounted to 79, with totally 560 persons, including 8 ministerial delegations. During his visit to Egypt, Chinese Minister of Culture, Mr. Sun jianzheng held talks with his Egyptian counterpart, Mr. Hosni, and in-depth discussions were carried out concerning the protection of cultural relics, informational exchanges, cultural exchanges, electronic publications, TV and film cooperation and the enhancement of cooperation in the multilateral cultural activities, ect..The vice minister of China General Administration of Broadcasting, Film and TV, Ms. Zhao Shi also paid a visit to Egypt in 2002. During her stay in Egypt, She met with the Egyptian Minister of Information, Mr. Sherief and Director of the State Information Service, Mr. Nabil. The two sides held discussions on the bilateral cooperation in the field of TV and Broadcasting.

Besides, the Chinese artistic delegations which were sent by the Chinese Ministry of Culture to come to participating into different international cultural festivals in Cairo, also achieved great success. Ms. Sun Meina from Shanghai won the Jury's Special Prize in the Cairo International Singing festival. "Wuchang and Nvdiao" presented by the Beijing People's Art Theatre won both the prizes of "the Best Actor" and "the Best Actress" in the 14th Cairo International Festival for Experimental Theatre. In the thesis Competition organized by the Asian-African Writer's Association titled "Mubarak Competition International for Peace", Mr. Zhang Hong, Arabic Professor from the Beijing Foreign Study University won the third prize.

In 2002, the Cultural Section of the Chinese Embassy has successfully facilitated the visit of 8 Egyptian delegations to China with a total number of more than 70 persons, including Mr. Sherif El Shoubashy, the First Undersecretary of State of the Ministry of Culture and the President of Cairo International Film Festival, who attended the Shanghai International Film Festival this year and paid a visit to the Chinese Ministry of Culture; Mr. Fayz Falah, Vice Chairman of Egyptian Radio Station, etc..A shooting team from the Egyptian Nile Satellite TV went to China to take part in the shooting activity "Walk into Henan".

China-Egypt Cultural Exchanges in 2001

In 2001, more cultural exchanges were carried out than previous years in the fields such as: arts, cultural heritage, sports, education, health and etc. The number of the visiting Chinese delegations amounted to twenty-four, including four at the ministerial level; while the number of the Egyptian groups visiting China increased to ten, including four artistic troupes comprising 115 members. These Chinese   delegations participated in the international festivals held in Egypt, including the Cairo International Book Exhibition, Nile Children Chorus, Cairo International Film Festival for Children, Ismailia International Folklore Arts Festival, Cairo International Experimental Theater and Cairo International Film Festival and etc. The Egyptian Government also sent troupes to China to take part in Changchun International Sculpture Festival, "Meet in Beijing" activity, Shanghai International Film Festival, China International Folklore Arts Festival and etc.

In 2002, the Chinese Institute for Culture in Egypt will be officially inaugurated. We believe that the cultural cooperation between China and Egypt will be further developed along with more exchanges at different levels and in different fields.