Means of further deepening cooperation in tourism with China were at the core of discussions held today, between Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Sherif Fathy, and Lui Duo, Vice Mayor of Shanghai, and an accompanying delegation.
The meeting was held at the ministry’s headquarters in the New Administrative Capital.
As the meeting started, Fathy underlined the longstanding and profound ties between the two nations, with their ancient civilisations, that are bond with rich history and a commitment to a dynamic future partnership, a statement by the ministry said.
The two sides engaged in a fruitful dialogue on prospects for more collaboration in fields like museums, professional training, archaeological excavation, scientific research, and exchange of expertise.
The Chinese delegation voiced eagerness to increase the number of Chinese-led archaeological missions operating in Egypt, referencing the newly launched joint archaeological mission between the ministry’s Supreme Council of Antiquities and the Shanghai National Museum at the Sekhmet Temple in Mit Rahina.
Existing collaboration was highlighted, including joint missions at the Temple of Montu in Karnak and a digital documentation project led by Shanghai University of Science and Technology in Saqqara.
Lui Duo was grateful for and delighted by the hospitality shown to her and the delegation during their visit, particularly at the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) and the Giza Pyramids.
She also reviewed the remarkable results of the exhibition “On Top of the Pyramid: The Civilisation of Ancient Egypt,” currently running at the Shanghai National Museum.
Since it was launched in July 2024, she said, the exhibition has received over 1.9 million visitors from across Shanghai and neighbouring cities, a testament to the enduring fascination the Chinese public holds for Egyptian heritage.
Thanks to overwhelming interest, the museum has extended the exhibition’s hours and anticipates total visitors will reach 2.5 million by the time the show concludes in August, she said.
Looking ahead, she expressed optimism for even greater cultural and tourism cooperation between Egypt and China, extending an official invitation for Minister Fathy to visit China in the near future.
