The Arabic version of the China Media Group (CMG)'s TV program "Classics Quoted by Xi Jinping" went on air across Egypt's mainstream media on Tuesday as the Chinese president arrived in the country for a state visit.
The program selects ancient Chinese classics and quotations cited by President Xi in his important speeches, articles and conversations.
The quotes focus on economic development, technological innovation, ecological civilization, and social livelihood. The program highlights the historical and cultural foundations of Xi's governing philosophy while showcasing China's experience in addressing global challenges.
The launch event of the program took place in Cairo, capital of Egypt, on Tuesday.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi sent a congratulatory letter to the event, saying that as Egypt and China celebrate the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, this cultural event serves as a bridge between Egyptian and Chinese youths.
The Egyptian president expressed the hope that the decades-long friendship and cooperation between the two countries will bring more prosperity and progress to both sides and contribute to world peace and development.
The launch event was attended by Egypt's Minister of State for Information Diaa Rashwan who read the congratulatory letter at the event, as well as more than 100 guests from both countries, including prominent figures from political, economic, cultural, and media circles.
The guests said at the event that the program deeply explains China's outstanding traditional culture and development philosophy to Egyptian audiences, opening a new cultural window for people in the two countries to enhance mutual understanding.
The program began broadcasting on Tuesday on major Egyptian media outlets, including Egyptian Television Network, Nile TV International, Egypt Today, Sun TV Egypt, and Ahram Online, as well as major African outlets, such as African Union of Broadcasting, Kenya's Switch TV, Tchad24 TV, and South Africa's DUrbanTV.
More than 30 major media outlets from Arab countries such as Egypt, Iraq and Jordan reported the event.
Arabic version of TV program "Classics Quoted by Xi Jinping" airs in Egyptian mainstream media
Arabic version of TV program "Classics Quoted by Xi Jinping" airs in Egyptian mainstream media
An age-old feather duster craft in north China's Hebei Province has found new life online, as livestreaming turns a village tradition into a source of income for elderly residents. In Luan'nan County, Tangshan City, Liu Wenhao, Party secretary of Zhangmawan Village, is promoting the village's handmade feather dusters alongside fellow villagers in livestreams. Since 2024, he has led villagers in bringing the traditional craft online, quickly turning it into an internet sensation.
Elderly villagers now craft dusters while also serving as online hosts, participating in livestreams and welcoming tourists. Liu Huiying is one of them.
"This is no small income. I earn about 20,000 yuan (about 2,981 U.S. dollars) a year, which is more than enough. They call me an internet celebrity. I'm happy," she said.
The feather duster craft has a long history in Zhangmawan. Once a sideline for villagers during the agricultural off-season, craftsmen worked from dawn to dusk only to sell a single duster for 0.3 to 0.5 yuan. Sales were slightly better at rural fairs, but earnings were barely enough to make a living. As modern cleaning products diversified, traditional feather dusters gradually faded from daily life.
In recent years, with the rise of short-video platforms, several young people in the village began experimenting with short videos. Their first video showing the making of a feather duster garnered more than 600,000 views.
"Our village's traditional craft was well-known throughout the region. So we thought, with so many people here skilled at making feather dusters, why not sell them online and help boost their incomes?" said Liu.
Zhangmawan has more than 200 residents over the age of 60. To boost their incomes and pass on the craft, product transformation was key. Young villagers pooled their ideas and decided to enter the cultural and creative market.
While veteran artisans persisted in handmade production, younger people focused on innovative designs, launching new items such as car hangings, bag charms, desktop ornaments and cat teasers, tailored to modern aesthetics and lifestyles.
Online popularity has also boosted offline tourism. The village has leveraged its advantages to offer craft workshops, rural sightseeing, farm meals and educational study tours, attracting a large number of visitors and children.
"You can hang it on a schoolbag or car keys -- it can go in many places. And if something gets dirty, you can use it to sweep," said Meng Shixuan, a young visitor.
"We want to keep updating our cultural and creative feather duster products, and through short videos and livestreaming, develop the village's study tour and sightseeing businesses to provide more jobs and income opportunities," Liu said.
Chinese village turns traditional feather duster craft into online hit
