CPEC holds potential to transform Sino-Pak cultural ties: Pervaiz Rashid

Islamabad

Minister for Information Broadcasting and National Heritage Senator Pervaiz Rashid Sunday said China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) holds potential to transform cultural ties and deepen people to people contacts between Pakistan and China.

He was speaking to the participants of Ningxia Car Rally and artistes from China who have come all the way to Pakistan after travelling 7000 kilometres in 22 days from Chinese region of Ningxia.

The minister said at a time when Pakistan has joined China in its initiative of One Belt One Road (OBOR) both countries also intend to work closely to revive the ancient Silk Road.

The road focuses on infrastructure which constitutes the strategic framework of bilateral cooperation between the two countries under the ambit of China Pakistan Economic Corridor which is a network of roads railways and pipelines he added.

He said given the enormity of CPEC’s cultural potential it is imperative for both countries to pay attention to the cultural dimensions by extending scope of public diplomacy.

He emphasised that the cultural links between Pakistan and China should be extended beyond the traditional state contacts.

Pakistan and China have much in common in culture arts crafts which can further deepen the relations at the societal level he noted.

The minister said it is only through further strengthening of people to people contacts that CPEC can be transformed from a governmental project to grassroots affinities at a much deeper level.

Pervaiz Rashid said since the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries in 1951 China and Pakistan have developed all season friendship that is based on equality brotherhood mutual respect and all round cooperation.

This friendship has since grown from strength to strength and the people of two countries are now rightly termed as Iron brothers he remarked.

He said friendship between China and Pakistan is higher than the highest mountains deeper than the deepest oceans and sweeter than the sweetest honey in the world.

He stated my special gratitude is to Wang Heshan the Vice Governor of People government of Ningxia Hui Autonomous region of China the moving spirit behind this rally whose personal presence indicates the importance attached to the promotion of cultural relations between the two countries.

Today indeed is a memorable and unique day in Pak China relations.  He referred to his recent visit to China where he had gone to attend the First Silk Road International Cultural Expo in Dunhuang.

He said during his visit he met the Chinese Minister of Culture and held in depth discussions over ways to further expand cultural ties between the two countries.

During the meeting it was mentioned that Pakistan is an important country along the Silk Route and steps would be taken to tailor cultural programmes according to each others’ needs to make it more meaningful and effective.

He said he was sure that the participants of the Ningxia Car Rally would serve as ambassadors of Pakistan and work for promoting tourism in Pakistan by sharing their experiences with their fellow citizens.

He expressed confidence that the car rally would herald a new chapter in the relations between the two countries and motivate Chinese tourists to experience for themselves the warmth hospitality and beauty of Pakistan.

The event was also addressed by Deputy Governor of Chinese province Ningxia Wang Heshan.

Chinese and Pakistani artists performed dances and played traditional instruments like ‘dhol’ and ‘rubab’ much to the amusement of audience.