Chinese Ambassador to Egypt Liao Liqiang hosted the third edition of the “Tea for Harmony” event in Cairo on Monday at the St. Regis Hotel overlooking the Nile.
The event brought together diplomats, public figures, and cultural representatives to celebrate the long-standing friendship between Egypt and China.
Attending the event were former Egyptian prime minister Essam Sharaf and Advisor to the Egyptian Minister of Housing, Utilities & Urban Communities for International Cooperation Hassan El-Leithy.
This year’s event carried special significance as it coincided with the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, highlighting decades of growing cooperation and people-to-people ties.
It was hosted by the China International Culture Association and the embassy of China in Egypt, and organized by Anhui Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism and the China Cultural Centre in Cairo.
It featured some traditional Chinese dance and singing performances, as well as very entertaining acrobatic shows.
“Tea for Harmony” is a global cultural initiative launched by China’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism in May 2023 to promote Chinese tea culture and encourage cultural exchange and mutual understanding among nations.
The initiative draws on the values traditionally associated with tea in Chinese culture, including peace, tolerance, and harmony among civilizations.
Tea has occupied a central place in Chinese civilization for thousands of years, serving as both a cultural symbol and a reflection of concepts such as balance between humanity and nature, moderation, openness, and respect for others.
Chinese embassies worldwide organize the annual event to introduce audiences to the history of Chinese tea, its cultivation and production methods, as well as the customs and traditions surrounding it.
Tea is widely regarded in China as a bridge connecting the country with the rest of the world. It spread across continents more than two millennia ago through land and maritime trade routes, particularly the Silk Road, becoming an integral part of diverse cultures and contributing to intercultural dialogue.
Addressing the gathering, Chinese Ambassador to Egypt Liao Liqiang welcomed guests to the “Tea for Harmony” cultural salon and tourism promotion event, expressing appreciation for all those who have long supported Egyptian-Chinese relations.
“China is the homeland of tea and the cradle of tea culture,” Liao said. “Tea has become a means of strengthening friendship and discussing philosophy, and it is deeply integrated into the material and spiritual life of the Chinese people.”
He described tea as a bridge connecting China with the world, noting that the tea trade crossed mountains and seas more than 2,000 years ago, helping foster exchanges among civilizations. “A cup of tea embodies the Chinese philosophy of harmony while respecting differences and promoting peaceful coexistence,” he said.
Liao highlighted the shared traditions of hospitality in both Chinese and Arab cultures, noting that tea plays an important role in welcoming guests in both China and Egypt. “Tea culture is a common treasure shared by our peoples,” he said. “Tonight, we gather on the banks of the Nile to enjoy tea and discuss the bright future of Chinese-Egyptian friendship.”
The ambassador also highlighted Anhui Province, one of China’s leading tea-producing regions and an important birthplace of Chinese tea culture. Four of China’s ten most famous tea varieties originated in Anhui, he said, adding that the province has also played a pioneering role in China’s reform, opening-up, and innovation efforts.
Li Meimei, counselor of Anhui Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism (photo by Reham El-Adawi)
“Anhui boasts not only uniquely favorable geographical conditions but also the advantage of a well-connected transportation network. It is one of the provinces with the most developed high-speed rail and highway systems in China. Riding the high-speed train, it takes only three hours to reach Beijing or Shanghai from the provincial capital, Hefei,” said Li Meimei, counselor of Anhui Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism.
Referring to the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Egypt and China, Liao noted that Chinese President Xi Jinping and Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi recently exchanged congratulatory messages marking the occasion.
He said the two leaders had affirmed that Egypt-China relations have become “a model of friendship, solidarity and cooperation among developing countries, as well as a model for collective cooperation between China and Arab and African nations.”
Liao stressed China's readiness to work closely with Egypt to implement the consensus reached by the two presidents, deepen traditional friendship, expand cooperation across various sectors and strengthen the strategic and international dimensions of bilateral relations.
He added that such efforts would better serve the interests of both peoples and contribute to peace and development at both the regional and international levels.
“Tea culture is a common treasure shared by our peoples. Tonight, we gather on the banks of the Nile to enjoy tea and discuss the bright future of Chinese-Egyptian friendship.” Ambassador Liao concluded.
Advisor to the Egyptian Minister of Housing, Utilities & Urban Communities for International Cooperation Hassan El-Leithy.
The event forms part of a broader programme of cultural activities organized by the Chinese embassy in Cairo to commemorate 70 years of diplomatic relations between Egypt and China, including musical concerts that will take place at the Cairo Opera House on 10 and 11 June.
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