Pak-China ties getting stronger through cultural corridor: Sun Weidong

ISLAMABAD: Chinese Ambassador Sun Weidong said on Friday that the Pakistan-China all-weather friendship was getting stronger day by day due to the cultural corridor that promoted mutual understanding at people-to-people level.

“The two countries’ friendship is termed ‘Iron Brothers’; their rich cultural heritage works as a strong bridge further consolidating their ‘heart-to-heart’ relationship,” he said, while inaugurating the ‘China Cultural Heritage Week’ held here at the Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA) in collaboration with the Cultural Section of the Chinese Embassy.

The show displayed various forms of visual art, including paper cut art, paintings, history, cultural heritage and living style of people of China.The opening ceremony was followed by ‘Inheritance and Innovation’—an exhibition of Dalian Jinpu New Area Intangible Cultural Heritage. With a history of 130 years, Jinzhou Folk Painting is considered as a comprehensive art of traditional folk elements and art presentation.Besides paintings, various pottery items and other accessories were painted in vibrant hues and intricate patterns.

Ambassador Sun Weidong termed the event an opportunity for the people of Pakistan to understand the art forms being practiced in China and promote mutual understanding among people. “Strengthening cultural heritage is the most important part of the One Belt One Road (OBOR) initiative,” he said, adding that various cultural activities have been planned under the framework of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) that is a flagship project of OBOR.

He was of the view that the CPEC will not only be a source of economic prosperity but will also help open new avenues of cooperation in social and cultural fields.Ambassador Sun further said that Pakistan and China have a long history of cultural collaboration that he hoped will continue from generation to generation.

The China cultural heritage week is a global event organised by the Ministry of Culture of Chinese government in nearly 30 China Cultural Centres all over the world.The ambassador appreciated the Chinese short-stories launched on the occasion by the Pakistan Academy of Letters. The colourful Chinese Cultural Week will continue till July 14.