From Ancient Roots to a Shared Future: How Egypt and China Are Bridging Civilizations
As the world grapples with polarization, Former Egyptian Foreign Minister Nabil Fahmy is betting on young people to rewrite the playbook for global cooperation. In an exclusive interview with CGTN, he unpacked China’s Global Civilization Initiative (GCI)—a vision emphasizing mutual respect and cultural diversity over homogenization. 🌐
\"Old civilizations like China and Egypt see the world as a shared garden, not a competition,\" Fahmy explained. He contrasted Western development models, which often prioritize material gains and unilateral approaches, with the GCI’s focus on win-win collaboration. 🤝
Why Youth Hold the Key
Fahmy stressed that cultural exchange programs for students and young professionals are vital. He shared how Egyptian universities now partner with Chinese counterparts for language courses and exchange trips. \"When I visited Peking University, Chinese students asked me, ‘What does Egypt want from our partnership?’—not just about U.S.-China rivalry. That’s progress,\" he said, smiling. 📚
Civilizations Aren’t Zero-Sum Games
\"The West has achievements, but so do we,\" Fahmy noted, highlighting Egypt’s push for Arabic language programs in China and vice versa. His message? Celebrate differences, don’t erase them. 💡
With youth-driven initiatives taking center stage, the GCI is more than a policy—it’s a roadmap for a generation determined to build bridges, not walls.
