From January 18 to 23, 2026, Fan Di’an, a researcher atthe China Central Institute for Culture and History (CCICH), led a delegation to Egypt and Saudi Arabia topromotemutual learning among civilizations and cultural exchanges between the Belt and Road countries. Joining the delegation were CCICH researcher Wan Jianzhong and special research fellow Han Ziyong.

   While in Egypt, with the support of the Chinese Embassy in Egypt and the Chinese Consulate General in Alexandria, Mr. Fan delivered a cultural lecture titled "Inheritance and Innovation ofChinese Art"at theEgyptian Yacht Club in Alexandria. The event was attended byDr. Yousry El Gamal, former Egyptian Minister of Education, along with nearly 100 local cultural and educational professionals, and received coverage from over ten mainstream Egyptian media outlets, including Asharq Al-Awsat. Meanwhile, Mr. Han gave a lecture titled "The Five Distinctive Features of Chinese Civilization"at the Chinese Culture Center in Cairo, drawing an audience of more than 140 local experts, scholars, collegestudents, and Chinese culture enthusiasts. The delegation also held talks with Mr. Ahmed Ghoneim, CEOof the Grand Egyptian Museum, and visited the Museum of Islamic Art and the Bibliotheca Alexandrina.

  Mr. Fan Di’an delivereda lecture on Chinese culture at the Egyptian Yacht Club in Alexandria

  Mr. Han Ziyong delivereda lecture on Chinese culture at the ChineseCultureCenter in Cairo, Egypt

   While in Saudi Arabia, the delegation met with Ms. Maha Abdullah Al Senan, Deputy Minister for Research and Cultural Heritage Affairs at the Ministry of Culture of Saudi Arabia. Theyalso held discussions with the Saudi Heritage Commission, the King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies, and the Saudi Center for Research andIntercommunication Knowledge, and visitedthe Saudi National Museum.

  Meeting with Ms. Maha Abdullah Al Senan, Deputy Minister for Research and Cultural Heritage Affairs at the Ministry of Culture of Saudi Arabia

   Through cultural lectures and exchanges, the delegation introduced and publicized Xi Jinping Thought on Cultureand the Global Civilization Initiative, elaborated on the culturaldimensions of the Chinese path to modernization, shared China’s achievements in building up China’s cultural strength, and exchanged in-depth views with foreign counterparts on deepening practical cooperation in fields including mutual learning among Belt and Road civilizations, protection of cultural heritage, academic research and artistic creation.

   During the visit, Mr. Zhang Yaqiang, Minister of the Chinese Embassy in Egypt, and Mr. Ma Jian, Chargé d'affaires ad interim of the Chinese Embassy in Saudi Arabia, met with the delegation respectively.