A model presents a Chinese silk dress during a performance which is a part of the China-Egypt cultural year in Cairo, Egypt, March 26, 2016. [Photo by Hou Liqiang/chinadaily.com.cn]

The events were sponsored by China’s Ministry of Culture, and the creative products were designed by the Cultural Department of Zhejiang province and China Arts and Entertainment Group.

"The New Silk Road" series of cultural events is one of the projects of the China-Egypt Cultural Year. The initiative to hold a culture year in 2016 can be traced back to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi's visit to China in December 2014. 2016 is the 60th anniversary of the two countries' establishing bilateral diplomatic relations.

As ancient civilizations, China and Egypt have long and splendid cultures, and both have made great achievements in modern culture and art. Holding the cultural year will boost friendship between the two peoples and invigorate development and cooperation between the countries.