Alexandria, August 21, 2025 (Agencies) — In a significant step toward deepening bilateral cultural cooperation, China and Egypt have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to collaborate on maritime archaeology and the preservation of underwater cultural heritage, officials confirmed on Thursday.
The agreement was formalized at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina between China’s National Center for Archaeology, operating under the National Cultural Heritage Administration, and Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA).
Under the MoU, the two nations will establish a joint center in Alexandria dedicated to maritime archaeology and underwater heritage research. Speaking at the signing ceremony, Chinese Consul General in Alexandria Yang Yi emphasized that the initiative will “strengthen ties between the two peoples, deepen the China-Egypt strategic partnership, and support the building of a shared future.”
Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Secretary-General of the SCA, welcomed the agreement, noting that Egypt stands to benefit from China’s advanced capabilities in maritime exploration, excavation, and heritage protection. He added that the MoU includes provisions for joint research projects, scientific forums, information exchange, and specialized training programs for archaeologists and restorers.
This latest accord builds on a growing record of archaeological collaboration between the two countries. In 2018, China’s first archaeological team in Egypt began excavations at the Montu Temple ruins in Luxor. More recently, both sides have worked together to nominate China’s Baiheliang and Egypt’s Nilometers for UNESCO World Heritage status, and to digitally document thousands of ancient coffins discovered in Saqqara.
The joint center in Alexandria is expected to serve as a regional hub for underwater heritage studies, contributing to broader efforts to preserve submerged cultural assets across the Mediterranean.