For more than a decade, an Egyptian tour guide named Abbas has quietly built a unique bridge between two cultures — Egypt and China.
Fluent in Chinese and deeply familiar with both Egyptian and Chinese culture, Abbas has become a familiar face to Chinese visitors exploring Egypt’s most iconic landmarks. His story has now been highlighted in a short film by Global People, a magazine published by China’s People’s Daily, under the title “Across Mountains and Seas, Life Flourishes Through the Joint Construction of the Belt and Road Initiative.”
The 2-minute-24-second film traces Abbas’s journey and his growing role in strengthening cultural connections between the two countries.
From Tour Guide to Cultural Ambassador
Abbas works as a Chinese-speaking tour guide, accompanying visitors from China as they explore the Pyramids of Giza, Egyptian museums and Khan el-Khalili in Cairo.
But his work extends far beyond traditional tourism.
He previously served as an assistant director at the Chinese Cultural Center in Cairo, where he delivered lectures introducing Egyptian audiences to Confucius, Chinese philosophy and Chinese wisdom.
His ability to move comfortably between Egyptian and Chinese cultures has allowed him to become more than a guide. For many visitors, he is also a cultural interpreter — someone who helps people understand not only the places they are visiting, but also the history, traditions and ideas behind them.
In August 2026, Abbas reached another important milestone when he provided on-site interpretation and explanations during a visit involving the Chinese and Egyptian presidents and their wives.
Three Times on the Pages of People’s Daily
Abbas’s journey has also been documented repeatedly by People’s Daily over the years.
His first appearance came on June 8, 2012, when a report about Chinese cultural centers overseas featured a photograph of Abbas explaining elements of Chinese culture to Egyptian children.
More than a decade later, on December 25, 2023, he was featured again in a report describing how the Belt and Road Initiative had contributed to his personal and professional journey. The article later received second prize in the China Journalism Awards.
Then, on September 9, 2026, Abbas appeared once again in coverage connected with a joint Chinese-Egyptian media visit.
Three appearances across fourteen years have turned his personal story into a reflection of the evolving relationship between the two countries.
A “Link” Between People and Cultures
For Abbas, the Belt and Road Initiative represents more than infrastructure, trade or economic cooperation.
He describes it as a “link” connecting countries, people and cultures.
He believes that learning Chinese and the development of China-Egypt cooperation fundamentally changed the direction of his life. Without those two factors, he says, he could hardly have imagined reaching the position he holds today.
His experience illustrates how international cooperation can affect individual lives in ways that go beyond economics.
A language learned years ago became a career. A cultural connection became a profession. And a growing relationship between two countries created opportunities for one individual to become a bridge between their people.
A Story Bigger Than Tourism
Abbas’s story is ultimately about human connections.
Every day, he helps Chinese visitors discover ancient Egypt — from the pyramids that have stood for thousands of years to the crowded streets of Cairo’s historic markets. At the same time, through his knowledge of Chinese language and culture, he helps Egyptians better understand China.
In this sense, his work represents one of the quieter dimensions of China-Egypt relations: people-to-people exchange.
While governments and businesses build partnerships between countries, individuals like Abbas help turn those relationships into real human experiences.
Across mountains and seas, his journey shows how language, culture and curiosity can connect people who live thousands of kilometres apart.
And sometimes, the strongest bridges between nations are built not from concrete or steel, but by people who can speak to both sides.
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