Ashraf AboArafe
On the banks of the Nile—where the fragrance of Egyptian civilization meets the symbolism of the moon in Chinese culture—the Embassy of China in Cairo hosted a grand celebration of the Mid-Autumn Festival, one of East Asia’s most cherished traditions. The event brought together distinguished figures from politics, culture, and media in an atmosphere steeped in elegance and symbolism.
Among the attendees were Dr. Essam Sharaf, former Prime Minister of Egypt; Dr. Ahmed Rahima and Dr. Mohamed Shaaban representing the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities; Hamdy El-Sotouhy, Assistant Minister of Culture; along with Major General Mohamed Hussein and Major General Ahmed Kassab from the State Information Service (SIS) The celebration took place in one of Cairo’s luxury hotels overlooking the eternal Nile.
In his address, Zhang Tao, Chargé d’Affaires of the Chinese Embassy, highlighted the profound human symbolism of the festival:
“In Chinese culture, the full moon represents reunion. Families gather to share mooncakes, enjoying moments of closeness while wishing for peace and stability in society. Here in Egypt, too, the moon is a symbol of completeness, harvest, and joy—showing that our two peoples share the same aspirations for a better life.”
Zhang further emphasized that Egyptian-Chinese relations are experiencing their most flourishing era, thanks to the strategic partnership between President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and President Xi Jinping. He noted that cooperation across multiple fields has borne fruitful results and promised even greater achievements in the future.
Hamdy El-Sotouhy, Assistant Minister of Culture, offered a heartfelt reflection:
“Human civilization is one, with deep roots in both Egypt and China. The Mid-Autumn Festival is a call for family reunion. Just as the moon is always partly complete, it reminds us to strive for its full light, to make every day of the year a celebration of unity and togetherness.”
In an ambiance where the full moon embraced the majesty of the Nile, the event transcended mere festivity. It became a poetic tableau of shared humanity, a symbol of the deep ties between Cairo and Beijing, and a promise of a brighter future where modernization walks hand in hand with cultural warmth—under the watchful glow of the moon that unites nations across time and space.
