"The project was financed by China, adopted Chinese technology and equipment, and was jointly implemented by Chinese and Egyptian enterprises," said Liao, adding that all participants worked hard to maintain the progress of the construction amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Chinese enterprises provided training to young Egyptian technicians to support the construction and maintenance of the project.

Mohamed Nosir, who was behind the wheel in the trial run, used to train at the Nanjing Vocational Institute of Railway Technology in 2018.

"Many friends always asked me when they could take this rail to work. They are looking forward to its opening," Nosir said.

Hassan Mahdy, professor of transport and roads at Ain Shams University in Cairo, said the LRT is very important as it links new cities east of Cairo, including the NAC, with all districts of Greater Cairo. 

Xinhua