Saudi Arabia, China Extend Archaeological Cooperation Agreement

The renewal of the agreement further strengthens the cultural relations between Saudi Arabia and China. SPA
The renewal of the agreement further strengthens the cultural relations between Saudi Arabia and China. SPA
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Saudi Arabia, China Extend Archaeological Cooperation Agreement

The renewal of the agreement further strengthens the cultural relations between Saudi Arabia and China. SPA
The renewal of the agreement further strengthens the cultural relations between Saudi Arabia and China. SPA

The Saudi Heritage Commission, one of the 11 sector-specific commissions under Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Culture, and China’s National Cultural Heritage Administration have recently signed an amendment to extend the archaeological excavations cooperation project, which began in 2016, at Al-Serrain site in the Makkah region.

The renewal of this agreement further strengthens the cultural relations between the two countries in the fields of heritage preservation and archaeological research. This extension, lasting for five years, reflects the strong ties between the two nations and ensures ongoing, in-depth collaboration in areas such as archaeological excavation and heritage conservation.

Since the project’s inception, the archaeological work at Al-Serrain site has achieved significant results, providing valuable academic insight into the historical and cultural understanding of the region. The collaboration between Saudi Arabia and China in cultural heritage research, archeological excavations, and conservation has become a key part of the cultural exchange between the two nations, further advancing their cultural relations.

This extension marks a new phase in Saudi-Chinese cultural cooperation, with both nations committed to expanding and deepening their collaboration in archaeology and cultural heritage preservation.



Egypt Opens More Galleries in Long-Awaited Antiquities Museum

A King Ramses II statue displayed at the Grand Egyptian Museum during the trial partial operation in Giza, Egypt, 15 October 2024. (EPA)
A King Ramses II statue displayed at the Grand Egyptian Museum during the trial partial operation in Giza, Egypt, 15 October 2024. (EPA)
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Egypt Opens More Galleries in Long-Awaited Antiquities Museum

A King Ramses II statue displayed at the Grand Egyptian Museum during the trial partial operation in Giza, Egypt, 15 October 2024. (EPA)
A King Ramses II statue displayed at the Grand Egyptian Museum during the trial partial operation in Giza, Egypt, 15 October 2024. (EPA)

Egypt opened a series of galleries to the public on Tuesday in its flagship new museum, the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), located near the pyramids of Giza.

Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly last week announced a "trial opening" ahead of a formal inauguration. Egyptian officials say a number of world leaders have expressed interest in attending the official opening but have not indicated when this will take place.

Pharaonic statues are showcased at the Grand Staircase of the Grand Egyptian Museum during a partial trial in Giza, Egypt, October 15, 2024. (Reuters)

The museum's main entrance hall with its stairway of Pharaonic statues and an annex for commercial shopping opened to the public in February 2023.

Ali Abu Al-Shish, a member of the Egyptian Archaeologists Union who attended Tuesday's opening of almost a dozen galleries, said the trial operation of the vast museum was evidence Egypt now had the space to exhibit its antiquities, including those being returned by Western states and museums.

It's an "important message that we can recover our antiquities, which are spread across various countries in the world," he said.

Visiting Russian tourist Kseniia Muse said: "We are so happy to be here, to have visited these beautiful sculptures... It is very modern and at the same time you can touch the ancient."

Pharaonic statues are displayed at the Grand Staircase of the Grand Egyptian Museum during a partial trial in Giza, Egypt, October 15, 2024. (Reuters)

Tourism is an important source of foreign currency revenue for Egypt. The government has been trying to increase tourist numbers after facing a long-running foreign currency shortage that was exacerbated by external shocks.

Until now, Egypt's most famous collections have been housed in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo's Tahrir Square, which has been largely unmodernized and unrenovated since opening in 1902.