Egypt, China online concert to celebrate 64 years of diplomatic ties

Egyptian and Chinese orchestras held a joint online concert that will be broadcasted on Saturday to mark the 64th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries, the Egyptian culture ministry said on Thursday.

The online symphony orchestra concert was held between Egypt's Cairo Symphony Orchestra and China's Liaoning Symphony Orchestra. It will be broadcasted on online platforms such as those with Egyptian Ministry of Culture and Cairo Opera House.

"The concert is a meeting between the two greatest civilizations in the history of humanity," Egyptian Minister of Culture Inas Abdel-Dayem said in a statement on Thursday, stressing that it embodies strategic partnership and cultural dialogue between Egypt and China.

The concert presents a variety of Egyptian, Chinese and international pieces including Egyptian March, My Motherland, Jasmine Flowers, Days Gone By and Beethoven's masterpiece Egmont Overture.

It also includes a performance of "Hand in Hand," a song written by Shi Yuewen, cultural counselor of the Chinese embassy in Egypt and head of the Chinese Cultural Center in Cairo, and composed by Egyptian musician Ehab Hamid.

A documentary on the deep-rooted Sino-Egyptian ties will also be screened right before the broadcasting of the joint online concert on June 20.

Egypt and China have been cooperating closely in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic through exchanging medical aid and expertise and offering mutual support and solidarity.

In mid-May, Egyptian and Chinese musicians staged a virtual performance of the Triumphal March from the world-famous opera Aida to inspire people in these difficult times.

Earlier in March, Egypt lit up three famous historical sites, including ancient temples in Luxor and Aswan, in red and golden stars to resemble the national flag of China as a sign of solidarity against the novel coronavirus.