Xi Jinping Visits Grand Egyptian Museum with President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan visited the Grand Egyptian Museum alongside Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and his wife Entissar Amer during Xi's visit to Cairo. The two leaders viewed ancient Egyptian antiquities, including the statue of Ramesses II and treasures from King Tutankhamun's tomb, while emphasizing the deep historical roots connecting their nations. Both heads of state framed the occasion around mutual civilizational respect, with Xi promoting his Global Civilization Initiative and Sisi welcoming expanded cultural exchange.

The high-profile cultural outing highlights the prominent role of civilizational diplomacy in the China-Egypt Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. By touring Egypt's premier cultural repository alongside President el-Sisi, Xi used the symbolism of ancient heritage to reinforce bilateral political goodwill and promote China's broader international narrative of non-Western civilizational equality and mutual learning.

On the afternoon of September 2, Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife, Peng Liyuan, toured the Grand Egyptian Museum in the company of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and his wife, Entissar Amer, according to official Chinese state media reports. Upon arriving at the museum, located on the Giza plateau adjacent to the ancient pyramids, Xi and Peng were received by the Egyptian presidential couple. The leaders began their visit by posing for official photographs before the colossal statue of Ramesses II and receiving a briefing on ancient Egyptian history and the construction of the landmark museum complex. The delegation ascended through the museum via escalator galleries showcasing monumental stone carvings, inscribed pillars, and temple spires before stopping at an observation platform overlooking the Giza pyramid complex. They subsequently toured the Tutankhamun exhibition galleries, viewing prominent artifacts including the pharaoh's golden throne, burial mask, and royal chariots. During the visit, President Xi characterized China and Egypt as ancient civilizations and leading custodians of world heritage. He remarked that historical engagement between the two nations transcended time and geography, calling on both sides to uphold a civilizational outlook rooted in equality, mutual learning, dialogue, and mutual accommodation. Xi urged joint implementation of his Global Civilization Initiative to foster coexistence among global cultures and support the construction of a shared future for humanity. President el-Sisi expressed gratitude for a congratulatory letter Xi had sent the previous year to mark the opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum. He stated that the inclusive, pluralistic characteristics shared by ancient Egyptian and Chinese cultures align closely with the principles of the Global Civilization Initiative, adding that Egypt intends to deepen humanities exchanges and civilizational dialogue with China. Senior Chinese officials accompanying the delegation included Cai Qi, a member of the Politburo Standing Committee and director of the General Office of the Chinese Communist Party, and Foreign Minister Wang Yi.