Pakistan welcomes Chinese cooperation in film production, infrastructure

BEIJING: Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb has welcomed the proposal of Chinese cooperation with Pakistan in film production and infrastructure.

Chinese Vice Minister of State Administration of Press Publication, Radio, Film and Television (SAPPRFT) Tong Gang made the proposal for working on an agreement between the two countries for cooperation in the area of film production and film infrastructure during a meeting with Marriyum on Monday in Beijing.

Marriyum expressed hope that the agreement would be prepared and formalized expeditiously.

The minister dilating on collaboration between radio and television of both the countries, informed her host that the present government was formulating a film policy which would include various incentives for the revival of the film industry in Pakistan adding that it would soon be announced.

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She said that Pakistan was now producing good quality films for cinema viewers, however, it wanted to follow Chinese model to further develop the film industry on modern lines.

Marriyum Aurangzeb observed that presently China was collaborating with 19 countries in film production and Pakistan wanted to become its 20th partner in this field.

She informed the Chinese minister that Pakistan had set up a Chinese cultural centre in Pakistan National Council of the Arts. She said that Pakistan was committed to participate in the film festival on the eve of summit meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).

The state minister said that China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was all about the people and stressed the need for enhancing cultural collaboration between the two countries to familiarize them about the benefits of the mega-economic initiative.

“CPEC is a flagship project of Belt and Road Initiative announced by President Xi Jinping for shared prosperity and well-being of the people across the region and beyond,” she said.

Welcoming the delegation, Chinese Vice Minister said that China and Pakistan friendship was an example of brotherly relations for the world.

He informed Marriyum Aurangzeb that China was producing 700 films annually and had nearly 50,000 screens.

China, he said, was keen to share its experience with Pakistan.

Pakistan Ambassador to China, Masood Khalid, and senior officials from both sides were also present in the meeting.