SHANGHAI: Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb, in her meeting with Shanghai Film Group Vice President Chunping Xu warmly welcomed the unprecedented Chinese assurance and support for exhibiting Pakistani films and dramas in China.
She said that Pakistan was also looking forward to exploring possibilities of co-productions and joint ventures with the film industry of China.
She informed her host that Pakistan would announce the new film policy next month, adding, “We have benefitted from Chinese model while formulating the film policy.” The minister said that various incentives have already been announced, including the establishment of film academy and artists welfare fund for the revival of the film industry in Pakistan.
Referring to the agreement for cultural exchanges signed between the two countries during her recent visit, she said that both the countries would share technical assistance and expertise, exchange films after dubbing in the languages of each other and also hold joint exhibitions. There would be an exchange of students between the two countries, she added.
Marriyum also confirmed that Pakistan would participate in the Shanghai and Beijing film festivals scheduled to be held next year.
The vice president of Shanghai Film Group briefed the distinguished guest about his organisation and said that Pakistan was a big market for the Chinese movies.
In the meeting, the other matters discussed included the exchange of broadcasting and film content between the two countries, the establishment of film archive and film museum, technical cooperation and exchange of expertise, co-production of films by Pakistan and China, cooperation in the establishment of a film academy and film studio.
Marriyum reiterated that success of CPEC required a mutual understanding of culture, heritage and language by the people of Pakistan and China.