Chongqing - During the 2024 Belt and Road Journalists Forum, Bridging News interviewed Ayman Elkady, Executive Editor-in-Chief and Member of the Editorial Board at Egypt's Cabinet Affairs. Elkady, who was visiting Chongqing for the first time, expressed admiration for the city's natural beauty and technological advancements while emphasizing the need for stronger media collaboration between China and Egypt.

"This is my first time here," Elkady shared. "I've worked in China for three years as the Middle East News Agency's Beijing Bureau Chief and visited many provinces. But Chongqing is truly unique. The mountains, the greenery, the high-tech buildings—all of it is very impressive. It's beautiful and so refreshing for the eyes."

Elkady highlighted that while international audiences are familiar with major Chinese cities like Beijing and Shanghai, Chongqing remains relatively unknown. "People outside China don't know much about this place. But it's an important and vibrant city, and it's our job as journalists to bring this to light. We now have the chance to see its beauty, industry, and civilization with our own eyes, rather than just hearing about it in the media or reading about it in books," he said.

In addition to praising the city, Elkady pointed to the immense potential for economic collaboration between China and Egypt. "Egypt, as the biggest country in the Middle East, has a huge opportunity to become a hub for Chinese goods," he said. "We can facilitate the flow of Chinese products from Chongqing to our country and further to Africa and the rest of the world."

Elkady also stressed the significance of cooperation beyond just trade and politics. "Both China and Egypt have long histories and rich civilizations. This is a good opportunity for our leaders to think about deeper cooperation—not only in economy or politics but also in cultural exchanges."

Elkady highlighted the electric vehicle industry as a particular area of interest. "With the world needing cleaner air and a healthier planet, shifting from petrol cars to electric vehicles is critical. I believe that if China and Egypt cooperate in this field, it will be immensely beneficial for both countries."

Reflecting on the role of the media in facilitating this cooperation, Elkady underscored the need for continuous dialogue. "The media should make greater efforts to communicate and cooperate. Egyptian media must focus on the opportunities in China, and Chinese media should do the same for Egypt. Our job is to present the facts and highlight the opportunities for cooperation, ensuring that people from both countries understand the benefits."

(Rao Dan, as an intern, also contributed to the report.)