Pakistan and China have agreed to further strengthen bilateral cooperation in culture, tourism, heritage preservation, and museum development, following a key meeting held between Minister of State for Culture, Tourism, and Heritage of Pakistan, Huzaifa Rahman, and Chinese Minister for Culture and Tourism, Gao Zheng, in Qingdao. During the meeting, Minister Gao Zheng extended a special invitation to Minister Rahman to participate as a chief guest at the upcoming International Museum Conference in China, scheduled for September, marking another milestone in enhancing mutual collaboration.
During the high-level discussions in Qingdao, Minister Huzaifa Rahman praised the longstanding friendship between Pakistan and China, recognizing it as a relationship deeply rooted in the hearts and minds of the people of both nations. Reiterating the special character of this bond, Rahman remarked, “Friendship between Pakistan and China transcends geographical boundaries, political dynamics, and time. It is deeper than oceans, higher than the Himalayas, and sweeter than honey.”
The two ministers agreed that culture and tourism offer immense opportunity for creating new avenues of bilateral partnership. Both sides committed to cooperating closely in key fields, including the preservation, restoration, and digital documentation of heritage sites; exchange programs for cultural delegations; organization of art exhibitions and joint film festivals; the advancement of museum sectors through training programs and educational exchanges in museology; and joint initiatives and policy collaborations aimed at promoting tourism.
Chinese Minister Gao Zheng formally invited Minister Rahman to attend the prestigious International Museum Conference as a special guest. Accepting the invitation graciously, Rahman expressed that his presence at the conference will symbolize the enduring commitment between Pakistan and China and promote deeper cultural links. He also thanked Chinese leadership, particularly President Xi Jinping, for their unwavering support and solidarity with Pakistan through challenging times.
This meeting marks not only a renewed commitment to strengthening cultural and tourism cooperation but also serves as a significant step forward in laying groundwork for practical actions and joint initiatives between the two friendly nations.
