#Egypt #Cairo #Sinopec #China-Egypt #Cultural Ambassadors

Sinopec Promotes Cultural Understanding Through Youth Competition

Sinopec, also known as China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation, recently organized the grand finale and awards ceremony for the competition titled "In Search of China-Egypt Youth Cultural Ambassadors," which took place in Cairo on October 26. This initiative aims to foster greater cultural exchanges between China and Egypt, particularly among the youth of these nations.

Under the auspices of the Chinese Embassy in Egypt, the event was part of the activities commemorating the Year of People-to-People Exchanges between China and Africa. Since its launch in July, this competition garnered nearly 100 original short videos from students across 12 Egyptian universities. These submissions aimed to highlight the friendships formed between China and Egypt, showcasing the young participants' fascination and understanding of each other's cultures.

Among the top 30 finalists, chosen after a rigorous selection process involving preliminary rounds and semi-finals, 16 candidates from six different universities made it to the final showdown. During the final event, the participants engaged in three rounds of quizzes: mandatory questions, buzzer questions, and risk-taking questions. Ultimately, five winners were selected, who will be granted the opportunity to visit Shanghai and Ningbo in China as a part of a cultural immersion program.

One of the awardees, Seifeldien Leisy, a third-year student at Cairo University, expressed that mastering languages and cultural nuances enhances the mutual understanding between Egyptian and Chinese youth, enabling them to learn from one another and grow together. He conveyed his aspirations to study and work in China in the future, further strengthening the friendship between the two nations through language exchanges.

Lu Chunsheng, a ministerial counsellor at the Chinese Embassy in Egypt, noted that this competition provided a valuable platform for youthful interactions at a time when the two countries celebrate the 70th anniversary of their diplomatic relations. He encouraged the selected students to share their experiences regarding Sino-Egyptian cooperation and promote camaraderie among their peers.

Rehab Mahmoud, the Egyptian director of the Confucius Institute at Cairo University, mentioned how learning Chinese is becoming a significant bridge connecting the people of China and Egypt. An increasing number of Egyptian youth are learning the language, thereby gaining a better understanding of Chinese culture. She is optimistic that the ambassadors will help broaden these cultural ties among a larger youth demographic.

In addition to the competition, a cultural fair featuring China-Egypt themes allowed guests and the public to explore the two cultures through quizzes and other interactive activities. Wei Dong, the chief representative of Sinopec's African office, reaffirmed the company's commitment to its brand promise of "Cleaner Energy, Better Life," while maintaining strong collaborations with various sectors in Egyptian society to create more youth engagement opportunities and enhance the strategic partnership between China and Egypt.

This initiative clearly illustrates Sinopec's dedication to fostering cross-cultural exchanges and nurturing the next generation's role in building bridges between nations. By engaging with the youth, Sinopec is not just promoting its corporate brand but also contributing to a broader understanding between China and Egypt, cementing partnerships that extend beyond business and into the cultural realm.