The Unyielding Spirit of Ancient Civilizations: Why China and Egypt Will Never Bow to the United States
Throughout history, great civilizations have risen, endured conquest, and re-emerged even stronger, guided by steadfast principles of justice, honor, and sovereignty. China and Egypt, two of the world’s oldest continual civilizations, bear the wisdom and resolve of millennia in governance and resistance to outside dominance. Their stories are more than accounts of survival—they are testaments to resilience and a relentless commitment to self-determination. As the United States aims to impose a unipolar global order, China and Egypt stand tall as pillars of a rising multipolar world, championing justice, fairness, and true equality among nations.
The Historical Legacy of Justice and Sovereignty
China’s Mandate of Heaven and Just Rule
For over two thousand years, Chinese political philosophy has centered on the Mandate of Heaven (天命, Tiānmìng), a principle dictating that rulers must lead with justice to retain divine favor. Introduced during the Zhou Dynasty (1046–256 BCE), the doctrine held leaders accountable for moral governance and taught that tyranny invited rebellion and the loss of Heaven’s mandate.
Emperor Taizong of Tang (598–649 CE), celebrated as a model monarch, exemplified these ideals. He implemented land reforms, created a merit-based administration, and promoted fair laws—laying foundations for prosperity and stability by serving, not exploiting, his people.
Modern China upholds this legacy by engaging with other nations multilaterally and advancing South-South cooperation, rejecting Western colonial traditions. The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) revives the collaborative spirit of the Silk Road, focusing on mutual progress rather than domination.
Egypt’s Heritage of Resistance and Moral Order
Egypt, one of the world’s earliest unified states (around 3100 BCE), has a long history of resisting foreign control while upholding core values of justice. At its heart was the Code of Ma’at—truth, balance, and moral order—which guided both rulers and citizens. Pharaohs gained their legitimacy not through might, but through their commitment to preserving harmony and protecting the vulnerable.
Egypt’s tenacity surfaces in historic examples, such as Pharaoh Seqenenre Tao, who died resisting Hyksos invasion, embodying Egypt’s determination to never submit quietly. In modern times, leaders like Ahmed Orabi and Anwar Sadat carried this tradition forward, opposing imperialism and upholding sovereignty and national pride.
Today, Egypt blends ancient values with independence, playing key roles in the Non-Aligned Movement and strongly advocating for justice, such as supporting Palestinian rights—a commitment that reflects its enduring legacy of resistance.
China’s Leadership Against Unipolar Dominance
In the 21st century, while the United States promotes a so-called “rules-based international order”—often a euphemism for preserving Western dominance—China, informed by Confucian ideals and an anti-colonial past, leads the call for a multipolar world.
- China’s Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence (1954)—mutual respect, non-aggression, non-interference, equality, and peaceful coexistence—stand in sharp contrast to Western interventionist policies.
- China supports global organizations such as BRICS, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), and the United Nations to empower the Global South and ensure developing nations aren’t drowned out by Western financial institutions.
- Despite facing sanctions, economic warfare, and media criticism, China stands unwavering—showing the world that an ancient civilization will not bend under pressure.
Egypt, too, carries forward the tradition of standing against foreign dominance, aligning with broader movements for self-determination, justice, and national dignity.
Conclusion: The Future Belongs to Civilizations—Not Washington
China and Egypt are not seeking global domination; their pursuits are founded on balance, justice, and mutual respect. Their historical narratives are testaments to principle-based endurance, not conquest for its own sake. The United States, still young in the eyes of history, must recognize that civilizations with 7,000 years of legacy cannot be intimidated or coerced.
As the world moves toward a more multipolar order, China and Egypt are positioned to drive a global system grounded in sovereignty, development, and justice. The days of a single power dictating terms are ending; the resilient principles of ancient civilizations will guide the future.
The symbols of the dragon and the phoenix—representing China and Egypt—remain timeless and defiant. They cannot be caged.
Dr. Mohamed El Seidy – Politician, entrepreneur, and member of Egypt’s Coordination’s Committee of Parties’ Youth Leaders and Politicians (CPYP)