BEIJING: Pakistan’s Culture Minister Huzaifa Rehman recently met with Chinese Culture Minister Gao Zheng in Beijing, where both leaders agreed to deepen cooperation in tourism and promote cultural diplomacy, according to Pakistani state media.
With majestic peaks in the Himalayan and Karakoram ranges, along with ancient archaeological wonders like Mohenjo-Daro and Taxila, Pakistan holds vast, untapped potential for tourism.
In recent efforts to boost its global tourism appeal, Islamabad has improved air and land connectivity with Central Asian nations and signed tourism agreements with regional partners, aiming to generate foreign exchange amid ongoing economic challenges.
During their meeting in Beijing, Rehman and Zheng discussed plans to enhance cooperation in tourism and other cultural sectors.
Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to promoting cultural diplomacy, strengthening tourism ties, and restoring shared heritage sites between the two countries.
Rehman also thanked China for its enduring friendship and support, highlighting the close bilateral relationship.
The ministers agreed to jointly restore, preserve, and digitally archive historical landmarks in both nations. They also planned to develop partnerships to advance museum collaboration and launch cultural initiatives such as delegations, exhibitions, and film festivals.
Further cooperation will include training programs in museology and professional development for museum personnel, alongside joint tourism campaigns and policy measures to encourage tourism and cultural exchange, the report added.
China also invited Minister Rehman to attend the upcoming International Museum Conference in September—an invitation he accepted.
According to APP, the meeting laid the groundwork for concrete steps toward a strategic Pakistan-China cultural partnership focused on mutual heritage conservation.
Beyond cultural cooperation, China remains a key strategic and economic partner of Pakistan.
It has heavily invested in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a flagship project linking the two nations through infrastructure, transport, and energy networks.
Launched in 2013, CPEC has brought tens of billions of dollars into Pakistan’s economy, funding major development projects across the country. –Agencies
