"We feel that the Chinese group performed here with a spirit of friendship and there's a closeness between them and the Egyptian people," Ibrahim says.

Held by the Egyptian Culture Ministry from Feb 17 to 22, the event included troupes from Egypt, Sudan, Algeria, Morocco, Jordan, Palestine, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Mauritius, China, Indonesia, Poland and Greece, performing songs, dances and shows reflecting their unique cultures and traditional arts. It also celebrated Egypt's current presidency of the African Union.

Ibrahim stresses that culture and the arts are among the most important routes of communication and interaction among people worldwide, noting that he has visited China many times, which he describes as "a beautiful country with many unique cultural features".

He also hails the growing friendship and closeness between the Egyptian and Chinese people, adding that communication between the two sides is based on mutual love and respect.