Pakistan keen to expand cooperation with China in film, media, culture and heritage

ISLAMABAD: Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb on Tuesday said that Pakistan was keen to expand cooperation with China in the field of film, media, culture and heritage.

“Pakistan cherishes its unique ties with all-weather and time-tested friend as both countries carry a legacy of cooperation, the foundation of which was laid by their ancestors,” she said in a meeting with Ambassador of China to Pakistan Yao Jing in Islamabad.

She said that the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) by President Xi Jinping would prove instrumental to establishing cultural linkage and benefit the people of both the countries and beyond.

Marriyum Aurangzeb said that sustainability of economic cooperation entailed mutual understanding of each other’s culture, values and heritage.

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She said that Pakistan with its diverse culture, multi-ethnic and multi-linguistic society offered myriad opportunities for collaboration in the field of culture and tourism.

“Pakistan would like to convert China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) into a cultural corridor marked by frequent exchange of artists, film, TV dramas and serials, arts and crafts,” she said.

The MoS said that the executive program of cultural agreement signed between the government of Islamic Republic of Pakistan and People’s Republic of China would provide various incentives for innovation and ingenuity, particularly in the arena of cultural exchanges and collaboration.

She said that government had announced country’s first film policy to revive the dormant industry and cinema.

“Pakistan has learnt a lot from Chinese model in the realm of film and would further like to enhance cooperation and joint ventures in films, production and broadcast,” she said.

During the meeting both the ambassador and the minister of state discussed in detail the cooperation in the field of media, information and culture particularly the follow up of MOS recent visit to China and executive cultural program.

Marriyum Aurangzeb told the ambassador that two Pakistani movies would be screened in Chinese Cinema soon and hoped that exchange of films would enable the people of both countries to understand each other’s culture and values.

The ambassador commended the efforts of the minister in regards to strengthening and promoting bilateral ties and cooperation with China, especially in the field of film and culture.

The MoS also appreciated Chinese keenness to cooperate with Pakistan in revival of Pakistan film industry.