International: Chinese President Xi Jinping and First Lady Peng Liyuan visited the Grand Egyptian Museum with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and First Lady Entissar Amer.

During their visit on Wednesday afternoon, President Sisi and his wife warmly welcomed Xi Jinping and Peng Liyuan at the museum. The two couples entered the exhibition halls together and received detailed introductions to the museum and the history of Egypt.

They later viewed various preserved artifacts, stone carvings, pillars bearing ancient inscriptions and temple structures. They also enjoyed views of Egypt’s famous pyramids from an observation deck.

Xi Jinping said that both China and Egypt are countries with ancient civilisations and custodians of important cultural heritage of global significance. After thousands of years of history, the two civilisations have continued to write a new chapter in their friendship based on mutual respect and amity.

He expressed hope that, by upholding the spirit of mutual respect, experience-sharing, dialogue and tolerance, the two countries would play a greater role in implementing the Global Civilization Initiative. He also called for greater contributions to the peaceful and inclusive development of different civilisations and to building a community with a shared future for humanity.

President Sisi expressed his gratitude for the congratulatory message sent by President Xi Jinping when the Grand Egyptian Museum was inaugurated last year.

He said that both ancient Egyptian and Chinese civilisations share the characteristics of “inclusiveness and coexistence,” which is consistent with the concept of the Global Civilization Initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping.

Sisi further said that Egypt is keen to strengthen cultural exchanges with China and expand mutual exchanges between the two civilisations. Through such exchanges, Egypt also hopes to contribute to creating a more balanced, tolerant and inclusive environment in the world.

Source: Subarna, Faisal, Xue Feifei, China Media Group (CMG)