How Alaa Mamdouh Akef became Gao Shan Cultural communication must always be a two-way exchange By ZHOU JIN | China Daily | Updated: 2026-10-03 11:34

How Alaa Mamdouh Akef became Gao Shan Cultural communication must always be a two-way exchange By ZHOU JIN | China Daily | Updated: 2026-10-03 11:34 https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202610/03/WS6ac077b6e4b06d4aa0561469.html In 2004, Alaa Mamdouh Akef walked into his first Chinese class at Cairo University as a young student curious to know more about an unfamiliar language and the country behind it. He was among the first band of students to study Chinese at Cairo University, at a time when it was still an uncommon choice of subject to major in. During the time he was studying Chinese, a teacher gave him the Chinese name Gao Shan, inspired by the classical saying "to look up to a tall mountain", or, more simply, admiration for a noble virtue. In fact, it echoes his Arabic name, Akef, while reflecting the ideals he has long pursued.