Chinese cultural expo in Egypt opens up opportunities to learn more about Beijing

In the building of Confucius Institute of Suez Canal University in Egypt's northeastern province of Ismailia, a cultural expo introducing Beijing, capital of China, was opened on Wednesday.

Egyptian students watch a performance of tea ceremony during a cultural expo introducing Beijing, capital of China, at Suez Canal University in Ismailia, Egypt, Nov. 21, 2018. [Photo/Xinhua]

"The expo was meant to provide the visitors, mainly the Chinese-learning students, wide-scope information about Beijing," said Hassan Ragab, director of Confucius Institute at the Suez Canal University.

The cultural landscape of Beijing across different eras, both old and modern times, were shown in the expo, Ragab told Xinhua.

Roqqia Lotfy, a student at Confucius Institute, said the expo provides rich information about Beijing and its history.

Under each photo, the caption was written in both Chinese and Arabic, which, Lotfy said, was of great help for someone like him who has just joined Confucius Institute.

Lotfy said she admired the architecture of the old houses as well as the design of the modern skyscrapers in Beijing.

"Confucius Institute will keep such kind of expos as permanent not only for the students specialized in Chinese language but also for the school students in different ages," said Ragab.

Zhu Tingting, Chinese director of the Confucius Institute, said the expo was "a platform for learning more about Chinese culture especially the Chinese houses which are an essential part of their lives."

She said the expo chose Beijing this time because it is the most famous Chinese city in Egypt, and also is very rich in history.

The visitors could travel along the history of the Chinese capital via the expo's models, she noted.

In addition, the expo has run some activities about Chinese traditions including paper-cutting, faces painting and tea ceremony, as well as Chinese music, for visitors.

Islam Mahmoud, a student from the School of Science, said he was dazzled by the photos about the Place of Heaven.

"I learnt many things today about China, and I knew that the summer season is the best in Beijing," Mahmoud said.