A Life Across Borders: One Egyptian Man’s 14-Year Bond with China

The connection began in 2012 when Wen Hongyan, a reporter for the People's Daily, visited the China Cultural Center in Cairo. She discovered a 28-year-old Abbas introducing local children to Chinese zodiac ornaments and paper kites within the center's small 'Chinese House.' Capturing a candid moment of Abbas teaching students, the resulting report, 'Perceiving China Here,' marked the beginning of a long-term documentation of his career.

By 2023, the scope of their engagement had shifted alongside the Belt and Road Initiative. Correspondent Huang Peizhao interviewed a more seasoned Abbas, now a prominent Chinese-speaking guide. Abbas credited the initiative with providing him career stability and a deep personal connection to Chinese culture. His journey eventually culminated in 2026, when he served as an on-site guide for both Chinese and Egyptian heads of state. Reflecting on his transition from a local cultural assistant to a diplomatic facilitator, Abbas described the experience as a dream, underscoring the shift in bilateral ties from small-scale academic exchange to broad, national-level cooperation.