Song "Hand in Hand" signals historic ties between China, Egypt

"Hand in Hand," a song written and composed by Cultural Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Egypt Shi Yuewen and an Egyptian musician, has gained popularity among the public in Egypt.

The song, with the Chinese lyrics written by Shi, was composed by Ihab Hamid, sung by famous singer Reham Abdel-Hakeem and translated into Arabic by Ahmad al-Saeed. It describes the strong Egyptian-Chinese ties across the history and deep people-to-people exchanges.

The Arabic version of the song mirrored "the cooperation between Egypt and China during the crisis of COVID-19," Shi, also director of the Chinese Cultural Center in Cairo, told Xinhua.

"It aims to encourage the people in both countries to fight against the COVID-19 pandemic," he added.

With a vivid Arabic-style melody, the song praises the long-term friendship between China and Egypt dating back 2,000 years. It also portrays touching stories about the two nations' common efforts during the pandemic.

The Chinese diplomat voiced his happiness for the popularity the song has gained among Egyptians.

"The launch of the song coincides with the 64th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations between the two countries," he said, hailing the ongoing and unprecedented bilateral cooperation and communication.

Shi said that the Chinese and Egyptian culture has common features which inspired him to write the song.

"The lyrics also resemble love and respect for the Egyptian people," he said.

Al-Saeed, chief of Cairo-based Chinese "Wisdom House for Cultural Industries" institution in Egypt and also translator of the song's Chinese lyrics, told Xinhua that he was very keen to translate the sincere feelings of the original version.

He noted that art and literature works can carry the messages faster than holding conferences, symposiums or lectures, expressing his expectation that "the song will add more to the well-established cultural ties between the people in the two countries."

"The song is a realistic translation of love and appreciation, showing increasing cooperation, similar views and visions, and solidarity between the two countries," he added.

The video clip of the song toured the most famous cultural relics in the two countries, including the Great Wall of China, the pyramids, mosques, and temples, as well as the modern buildings.

Al-Sawi Ahmad, former dean of the Faculty of Arts in Minya and an expert on the Chinese affairs, said that "the song tells the story of the two countries' civilizations in a simple and summarized way."

"Egyptians love the song because it depicted the relationship between the two old civilizations without exaggeration," he reiterated.