Students from the British University in Egypt sing a Chinses song during an Egyptian-Chinese cultural performance in Cairo, Egypt, April 20, 2026. (Xinhua/Xin Mengchen)

A lively Egyptian-Chinese cultural performance was held in Cairo on Monday to mark this year's United Nations Chinese Language Day.

The event took place at the British University in Egypt and was attended by about 100 guests. Egyptian and Chinese students performed a mix of music and dance, combining traditional, classical, modern, and martial arts styles.

As part of China-Africa cultural exchange activities, students from Sichuan Normal University, currently touring African countries, presented "Elegance and Charm of Sichuan." Their performances included group dances, Tai Chi, and Sichuan Qingyin, showing both energy and grace.

Egyptian students from the Faculty of Arts and Humanities also took part, performing songs in both Arabic and Chinese, further underscoring the spirit of cultural dialogue.

A large screen behind the performers displayed landscapes, historical sites, and development projects from both countries, reinforcing the sense of shared culture and cooperation.

"It is an important moment as Egyptian students, professors, and their families enjoy cultural exchange through such elegant Chinese performances," Hassan Ragab, director of the Confucius Institute at Suez Canal University, told Xinhua.

Ragab noted that Egypt and China, home to the Nile River and the Yellow River civilizations, respectively, share deep historical ties and cultural similarities. He added that younger generations studying Chinese are becoming a vital bridge in strengthening bilateral relations.

Khadija Fady, an 18-year-old student in a Chinese language department, performed a song about the human cost of war, aligning with broader calls for peace and stability. Fady said she trained for two months to master the piece, adding that studying Chinese culture and art has boosted her confidence and eased the challenges faced by beginners.

Duan Zhijie, a professor at the Education Office of the Chinese Embassy in Egypt, said interest in the Chinese language has been steadily rising. Egypt now has 36 university-level Chinese departments, while 41 secondary schools offer Chinese as an elective subject.

Chinese has also been incorporated as a second foreign language in Egypt's national high school graduation examination system. "It can be foreseen that Chinese will become an even more powerful medium for cultural exchange, youth engagement, and cooperation across various fields between China and Egypt," Duan said.

Yang Yue, chief director of the "Elegance and Charm of Sichuan" Chinese Artistic Performance African Tour, expressed hope that the performances would inspire Egyptian students to delve deeper into Chinese culture.

"We look forward to the day when they can visit Sichuan, experience the culture of the 'Land of Abundance,' and further strengthen the lasting friendship between our two countries," she said.