ISLAMABAD – Minister for Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage of Pakistan Senator Pervaiz Rashid believes that revival of Silk Route through China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) will help strengthen historic and cultural relations among regional countries.
Addressing at Salam Confucius exhibition held by Pakistan – China Institute here at capital city of Pakistan, the minister was of the view that the corridor would provide new avenues to artists and artisans to help develop cultural industries. The amalgamation of Pakistan and China cultural diversity would help lead to peace, harmony and tolerance in the region.
The minister said the year 2015 had already been declared as Pak China Year of Cultural Exchanges. Chinese cultural troupes had visited Pakistan several times and the same had been reciprocated by Pakistan.
Appreciating the Salam Confucius exhibition, he said the information corridor became a platform to promote the CPEC. He said that Pakistan National Museum of Ethnology had created China Cultural Link Passage within its premises, while Pakistani Buddhist sites in Pakistan had also been of great interest to Chinese monks. He said the Silk Route had experienced Buddhism, Christianity, and Zoroastrianism, while Islamic Caliphate brought seventh century Islamic culture along with the Silk way.
The minister said a Cultural Cooperation Agreement was signed between the two countries on March 25, 1965 and then bilateral cultural exchanges and cooperation had made headway ever since.
He said 10,000 Pakistanis students were studying in China which would reinforce the cultural links and communication between the two countries and peoples. Teaching of Chinese language in Pakistan was becoming popular and Confucius institute had opened branches in different universities of Pakistan. He said arts could reach places that traditional diplomacy cannot and help build understanding between peoples and nations.
“We reject the notion of clash civilisations. Pakistan not only desires the protection and promotion of cultural diversity, but also advocates a dialogue among cultures,” he added. The event was held by Pakistan- -China Institute Islamabad.
