Pakistan and China have agreed to strengthen cooperation in culture, tourism, museums, and historic heritage preservation. This resolve emerged during an important meeting between Pakistan’s Minister of State for Culture, Tourism, and Heritage, Huzaifa Rahman, and his Chinese counterpart, Gao Zheng, Minister for Culture and Tourism, held in Qingdao, China. Minister Gao Zheng also extended a special invitation to Minister Huzaifa Rahman for the upcoming International Museum Conference scheduled for September in China, which Minister Rahman gratefully accepted as a new milestone in deepening relations.
Minister Huzaifa Rahman, acknowledging Pakistan and China’s long-standing and deeply-valued friendship, highlighted its unique and resilient nature, stating, “The friendship between Pakistan and China transcends geographical, political, and temporary considerations; it is deeper than oceans, higher than the Himalayas, and sweeter than honey. It is not merely a bond between governments, but a profound connection between the hearts of our peoples.”
Both ministers agreed to leverage culture and tourism as key avenues for enhancing bilateral cooperation in four primary areas. These include joint collaboration in the restoration, protection, and digital documentation of heritage sites, reciprocal cultural delegation visits, art exhibitions, and the organisation of film festivals. In addition, they resolved to establish training programmes aimed at strengthening museum management and museology, along with developing joint initiatives and policy measures to boost tourism in both countries.
During their meeting, Minister Gao Zheng honoured Minister Rahman with an invitation to attend the International Museum Conference taking place in China in September as a special guest. Minister Rahman gladly accepted the invitation, appreciating it as evidence of the enduring strength of Pakistan-China bilateral ties.
Moreover, Minister Huzaifa Rahman expressed gratitude to the Chinese leadership, specifically noting President Xi Jinping, for China’s unwavering support, which has stood firmly alongside Pakistan through challenging times.
This high-level bilateral interaction not only reaffirmed both countries’ commitment to cultural and tourism-related collaboration but also established a significant foundation for practical actions to achieve mutually beneficial goals in the near future.
