Enhanced Sino-Pak cultural ties to reinforce bond of friendship between iron brothers

ISLAMABAD: Enhanced Sino-Pak ties in the realm of culture and information would further reinforce heart to heart bond between the people of two iron brothers.

Marriyum Aurangzeb, Minister of State for Information, Broadcasting, National History and Literary Heritage (IBNH&LH) said this in her statement while leaving for Peoples Republic of China on a five-day official visit (February 3-8) on the invitation of Lu Shugang, Minister of Culture of China, here Saturday.

She said that the CPEC would not only be a source of economic and infrastructural development but would also open new avenues of collaboration in the arena of art, culture and heritage.

Terming the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CEPC) a route of peace and prosperity, Marriyum said that history of the world was replete with events where alliances were built primarily to contain other powers, to conquer other territories or for the sake of self-defence. The Pak-China partnership under the CPEC was unique in the sense that it was meant to bring the fruits of development, opportunities of employment and provision of basic amenities not only for the people of China and Pakistan but also for the entire region and beyond, she stressed.

Apart from solidifying regional connect, the CPEC would also boost tourism and establish cultural linkage through One Belt One Road (OBOR) initiative, which was imperative to bring people of both nations more closer to each other, Marriyum said.

She said that the One Belt One Road initiative would not only bound the two countries in eternal partnership for shared economic progress of the whole region but would also strengthen heritage which was its one of the most important components.

She said that promotion of art and culture was one of the top priorities of government and it would soon announce the cultural policy of the country. We are also working on first ever film, production and broadcast policy as movies are one of the greatest mediums to promote screen tourism and showcase values and culture of any society, Marriyum said.

The minister of state said that signing of Executive Programme of Cultural Agreement would go a long way in consolidating cultural relations and promoting people-to-people contacts between the two states. She said that Pakistan would also like to seek Chinese cooperation in its bid to revive its film industry. Collaboration and formal engagement in the field of media, information, exchange of dramas and co-productions would also come under discussion during her visit to China, she added.

During her visit, Marriyum Aurangzeb will sign Executive Programme of Cultural Agreement with Luo Shugang, Chinese Minister of Culture and will also call him. She will also meet Tong Gang, Vice Minister, on her visit to State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film & Television (SAPPRFT) and will visit China National Museum. She will also visit Shanghai Film Group & Film Museum and interact with media outlets of China.