ISLAMABAD: Enhanced Sino-Pakistan ties in the realm of culture and information would further reinforce people-to-people contact between the two iron brothers.
Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb said this in her statement while leaving for China on a five-day official visit (February 3-8) on the invitation of Chinese Minister for Culture Lu Shugang here Saturday.
She said that the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) would not only be a source of economic and infrastructural development but would also open new avenues of collaboration in the arena of art, culture and heritage.
Terming the CEPC a route of peace and prosperity, Marriyum said that history of the world was replete with events where alliances were built primarily to contain other powers, to conquer other territories or for the sake of self-defence. The Pakistan-China partnership under the CPEC was unique in the sense that it was meant to bring the fruits of development, opportunities of employment and provision of basic amenities not only for the people of Pakistan and China but also for the entire region and beyond, she stressed.
She said that the One Belt One Road initiative would not only bind the two countries in eternal partnership for the shared economic progress of the whole region but would also strengthen heritage which was its one of the most important components.
Marriyum said that promotion of art and culture was one of the top priorities of government and it would soon announce the cultural policy of the country. “We are also working on first ever film, production and broadcast policy as movies are one of the greatest mediums to promote screen tourism and showcase values and culture of any society,” she added.
The minister of state said that signing of the executive programme of the cultural agreement would go a long way in consolidating cultural relations and promoting people-to-people contacts between the two states. She said that Pakistan would also like to seek Chinese cooperation in its bid to revive its film industry.
Collaboration and formal engagement in the field of media, information, exchange of dramas and co-productions would also come under discussion during her visit to China, she added.
During her visit, Marriyum Aurangzeb will sign executive programme of cultural agreement with Luo Shugang. She will also meet Vice Minister Tong Gang on her visit to state administration of press, publication, radio, film and television (SAPPRFT) and will visit China National Museum.
She will also visit Shanghai Film Group and Film Museum and interact with media outlets of China.
