Mahmoud El Halwagy (right), director general of Egyptian Museum in Cairo, and Chen Dongyun (center), cultural counsellor of the Chinese Embassy, in Cairo on May 18.[Photo/Wen Zongduo/chinadaily.com.cn]

Funds are particularly necessary for the Egyptian Museum in the coming years as it wants to move some of the relics into a new museum in another part of Cairo. It is working with non-governmental organizations and government departments to cope with such problems.

To mark the International Museum Day on May 18, Chen Dongyun, cultural counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Cairo, donated a batch of museum-friendly equipment to the Egyptian Museum as a representative of Chinese Ambassador to Egypt Song Aiguo.

The donations, worth about 70,000 yuan ($12,000), have been made through the Ambassador's Fund, which is promoting exchanges between the Chinese and Egyptians.

"Our donations are limited, but our affections to Egyptian culture and friendship are not," Chen said during the ceremony held inside the museum on May 18.

Halwagy appreciated the Chinese efforts in promoting cultural exchanges, saying "they showcase our lasting friendship" that meets each other's needs in difficulties. He added that the cultural institutions of the two countries could engage in closer cooperation in preservation of relics as well as in countering international smuggling and restoration of stolen treasures.

"It may take time but we must pursue persistently," Halwagy said.