The Dialogue on Ancient Chinese and Egyptian Civilizations, part of the Nishan Forum on World Civilizations, concluded successfully on July 10 in Qufu, Shandong. It attracted nearly 90 guests from both countries in cultural, academic, and diplomatic fields.

The event, held in Nishan, the birthplace of Confucianism, marks a significant step forward in promoting global civilizational diversity and mutual understanding.

In his speech, Sun Licheng, deputy director of the Standing Committee of the Shandong Provincial People's Congress, highlighted the significance of the Yellow River and the Nile as cradles of human civilization. He talked about the harmony of Chinese and Egyptian values and the importance of the Global Civilization Initiative.

Addressing the dialogue, Haitham Abdelhady, deputy chief of mission at the embassy of Egypt in China, said that exchanges between the Yellow and Nile rivers provide valuable opportunities for civilizational dialogue. Egypt hopes to deepen cooperation with China in culture, archaeology, and other fields, promoting mutual learning and harmonious coexistence.

Experts from both countries discussed the agricultural systems of the Yellow and Nile River valleys, innovations in metal technology, and the similarities between Confucian "harmony in diversity" and Egyptian "Ma'at" principles. The event also featured presentations on joint archaeological projects, including the Karnak Temple Complex in Luxor, and highlighted the potential for future cooperation in digital heritage preservation.

Xu Baofeng, dean of the Belt and Road Research Institute (Global South Institute), noted that Chinese and ancient Egyptian civilizations share deep structural and spiritual affinities.

"With their strong cultural resilience and adaptability, both nations have contributed to the global civilizational process in their own unique ways," said Xu, adding that the dialogue helps uncover shared insight in economic cooperation, social governance, and educational innovation — offering cultural approaches that may serve as models for the development of the Global South.

The event concluded with the release of the "Yellow River–Nile Civilizations Cooperation Initiative", calling for enhanced archaeological collaboration, strengthened people-to-people ties, and the transformation of civilizational wisdom into a driver of development.

Experts and scholars attend the Dialogue on Ancient Chinese and Egyptian Civilizations in Qufu, Shandong province on July 10. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]