Tour guide Abbas Sayed explains the history of the Giza Pyramids to tourists at the archaeological site in Egypt on July 11. XIN MENGCHEN/XINHUA

Egyptian tour guide Abbas Sayed has been traveling between China and Egypt for more than two decades, promoting cultural exchanges between the two countries.

His connection with China began in 2002, when he was preparing to join Ain Shams University in Cairo. Upon seeing Chinese characters for the first time in the university's Chinese Department library, he decided to learn the "strange and beautiful" language.

That marked the start of a bond that would span over 20 years.

Having loved ancient Egyptian civilization since childhood, Abbas harbored a dream after learning Chinese: to introduce Egypt to Chinese people in their own language. After graduating from university, he chose to become a Chinese-speaking tour guide.

The year 2026 marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Egypt.

Abbas Sayed gives a guided tour to visitors at the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza, Egypt, on July 2. XIN MENGCHEN/XINHUA

According to the Chinese Embassy in Egypt, the number of Chinese tourists visiting Egypt reached 360,000 in 2025. Egyptian officials said the country aims to attract 3 million Chinese tourists by 2028.

Mohamed Othman, head of the Cultural Tourism Marketing Committee in Upper Egypt, said Chinese tourism is currently achieving record levels, expressing confidence that Chinese tourists will become a major contributor to Egypt's tourism market in the coming years.

With the growing influx of Chinese tourists to Egypt, Abbas has found his role taking on new meaning.

For him, being a tour guide for these visitors is more than just a job — it carries a responsibility of introducing a country and spreading its culture. From the pyramids to temples to museums, he travels through historical and cultural sites, using fluent Chinese to introduce Egyptian civilization to visitors from China.

Abbas Sayed gives a guided tour to visitors at the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza, Egypt, on July 2. XIN MENGCHEN/XINHUA

Abbas said the Chinese language has opened a window and built a bridge. From 2010 to 2013, Abbas worked at the China Cultural Center in Cairo, where he shifted from introducing Egypt to Chinese visitors to introducing China to Egyptians.

He helped set up the "Chinese House", an exhibition space bringing together elements including the 12 Chinese zodiac animals, famous Chinese architecture, and images of China's cultural heritage, to introduce China to the Egyptian public.

Through these exchanges, his role has been expanding.

"I am willing to be a cultural envoy between China and Egypt, bringing the hearts of our two peoples closer together," he said.

Abbas Sayed gives a guided tour to visitors at the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza, Egypt, on July 2. XIN MENGCHEN/XINHUA

Abbas Sayed visits the China Cultural Center in Cairo, Egypt, on July 15. XIN MENGCHEN/XINHUA

Abbas Sayed reads in the library of the China Cultural Center in Cairo on July 15. XIN MENGCHEN/XINHUA

Abbas Sayed introduces an artwork at an exhibition about Chinese culture held at the Cairo Opera House on July 28. XIN MENGCHEN/XINHUA