China State Construction Egypt’s new capital CBD project is by far the largest project undertaken by a Chinese-funded enterprise in the Egyptian market. Among the more than 10,000 employees of the Egyptian new capital’s CBD project, Ammar, an Egyptian boy born in 1995, is one of the local clerks. . In his daily work, he not only forged a deep friendship with Chinese employees, but also developed an unusual enthusiasm for Chinese history and culture. He is an out-and-out China expert.

Egyptian guy is obsessed with Chinese culture

At the beginning of 2019, the company arranged for me to be responsible for labor and administration in the CBD-P3 project department of the new capital of Egypt. Ammar, an Egyptian boy born in 1995, is a local clerk in the administrative department. He mainly cooperates with the project department in recruiting local employees. The first territorial colleague I met in Egypt. Because of my work relationship, I got to know Ammar very quickly, but it was an accidental opportunity that really motivated me to have in-depth contacts with him.

One day after lunch, I suddenly found Ammar standing alone at the top of the stairs, reading a book of "A Peking University Chinese Studies Class Every Day" attentively. My curiosity suddenly burst. How could an Egyptian boy be so obsessed with Chinese culture? "You Chinese Confucian school says'rituals, righteousness, benevolence, wisdom, faith', in fact, the same applies to us in Egypt, we all need to treat others with courtesy, have a benevolent heart, and rely on honesty..." The words of love and reason cannot help but Let me secretly pick Thumbs up.

As the work intersection between me and Ammar increases, we have more opportunities for communication. It turned out that Ammar, who had just entered university seven years ago, was faced with the choice of what major to study. Just as he was unable to do anything, a "Chinese history" major came into his eyes, and immediately aroused his infinite curiosity and yearning for China, an ancient country with Eastern civilization. In the following three years of university, under the guidance of the teacher, Ammar went from reading the introductory books of bilingual teaching in China and Arab countries to trying to read famous books such as "The Analects", "The Tao Te Ching", and "Chao Hua Xi Shi". He gradually became obsessed with Chinese culture and gradually realized the profoundness of Chinese culture.

Friendship is gradually deepening

In his new job, Ammar took full advantage of the trilingual advantages of Chinese, Arabic, and English, and quickly became a prosperous one. No matter how busy the work is, Ammar will squeeze an hour or so every day to read Chinese books. When I asked the reason, he bluntly said: "I like China, I want to understand China! To truly understand China, I think we must first understand Chinese culture!"

Over time, the friendship between Ammar and I has also grown deep. He consulted me a lot about Chinese history, he also taught me some Arabic that I often use everyday, and I would also ask him some questions about ancient Egyptian culture.

At the beginning of 2020, there was a new crown pneumonia epidemic in China. Ammar proactively approached me after seeing the news on the news and said that he wanted to donate to China’s anti-epidemic work: “There are difficulties from all sides to support from all sides. As employees of China State Construction Group, we must take timely action Support the fight against the epidemic.” Under his leadership, our project department took the lead in organizing donation activities, purchasing medical supplies such as masks and gloves, and sending them back to China to support the fight against the epidemic as soon as possible.

Hope to see the Great Wall and the Forbidden City

The CBD-P3 project department of the new capital of China State Construction Egypt officially started on May 2, 2018. It is a commercial building integrating retail, fitness, display and other functions.

In October 2020, the P3 project department ushered in the topping of the main structure. In the construction industry, the topping of the main structure is an important project node. The project manager Wang Yao discussed with us and wanted to celebrate, and invite the Chinese and Egyptian employees who have performed well from the start of construction to the present to commend them. At this moment, Ammar offered himself, expressing his desire to be the host of the capping ceremony. In the next few days, Ammar and a few Chinese colleagues worked out to write host speeches, design background panels, and purchase ceremonial supplies. They were very busy.

On the afternoon before the official ceremony, Ammar expressed the idea of using the evening time to rehearse in advance. Ammar and the hostess from China cooperated over and over again, how to start, how to walk the stage... When all the problems were solved, the time had come to nine o'clock in the evening. On the second day, the topping-out ceremony was successfully held, which was well received by the owners and supervisors. After the ceremony, when everyone was congratulating each other, I found Ammar's eyes were red, and I knew it was tears after releasing a lot of pressure.

With an extraordinary love for Chinese culture, Ammar has become an out-and-out China expert. In December 2020, Ammar married a college girlfriend who is also obsessed with Chinese culture. Due to the impact of the epidemic, we were unable to send our blessings to them at the wedding. The original plan for Ammar and his wife to go to China for their honeymoon was also stranded due to the impact of the epidemic.

When I met Ammar, who went to work on the first day after marriage, I asked him about his future plans. The optimistic Ammar was full of hope: "When the CBD project is completed, the epidemic will be over at that time, and my child will be born. I want to take it. I went to China with my wife and children, and took a look at the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, the Terracotta Warriors and Horses, and the National Museum of China, which are often mentioned in the book, and experienced the shock brought to me by the ancient Chinese civilization! It also allows my children to learn more about China , Let him like China since he was a child!" Editor/He Yuting