Pakistan and China held ministerial level talks here on Friday and discussed a ten-point strategy to push forward their culture ties and strengthen people-to-people contacts. The two sides also reached an understanding to take necessary steps for upholding their common cultural identity.
They also agreed work together for properly preserving their archaeological and historical resources. During the talks, Cultural Minister, Syed Ghazi Gulab Jamal and his Chinese counterpart Meng Xiaosi pledged to maintain close interaction at the levels of their respective institutions to implement the existing bilateral agreement in the cultural sector.
Gulab Jamal told APP in an interview that the Chinese side showed willingness to work to promote and preserve their cultural heritage. The two countries will follow a ten-point strategy for strengthening their culture ties that includes:
Exchange of cultural delegations and troupes at central and provincial levels on regular basis, training of experts for preservation of cultural monuments, co-production of films and dramas, establishment of a working-liaison between the educational institutions of Fine Arts, facilitating students of the two countries to acquire higher education in art and culture and helping each other country for capacity-building of their archaeological treasures.
As a gesture of goodwill, the Chinese side also offered technical support in form of equipment's, worth 100,000 RMB to help in maintaining cultural sites in Pakistan.
Earlier, Syed Ghazi Gulab Jamal met the Chinese top-ranking leader and State Councillor, Chen Zhili. He was accompanied by Parliamentary Secretary for Production, Syed Javed Ali Shah Jillani, Parliamentary Secretary Privatisation Division, Dr S. Javed Hussain Mian, Parliamentary Secretary Overseas Pakistanis Division, Dr Naseem Gul Afridi and Pakistan's ambassador to China, Salman Bashir.
The Chinese State leader assured her country's support to Pakistan in carrying out its socio-economic development. She emphasised that Pakistan and China as traditional allies and strategic partners should expand their exchanges in culture, education and tourism fields.
During a weeklong stay in China, the Pakistani delegation also visited Shanghai and Xian and held talks with the local leaders to improve their interactions in the fields of art and culture.