LAHORE: Chinese Consul General Zhao Shiren says that 2023 will be the “China-Pakistan Year of Tourism and Exchanges.”

He was addressing China’s intangible cultural heritage exhibition under the aegis of the Chinese Consulate at Alhamra Arts Council here on Wednesday.

He said China was also scheduled to host the Gandhara Art Exhibition in Beijing.

“I wish this small exhibition will make a good start for the China-Pakistan Year of Tourism and Exchanges, and make our peoples’ hearts beat together,” he said.

Mr Shiren said, “Cultures are diversified, and civilizations are different. But they are, by nature, not for conflicts, nor are they confrontational. The ultimate goal for cultures and civilizations is dialogue, tolerance, peaceful coexistence, harmony, and shared growth. Diversity spurs interaction among civilizations, which in turn promotes mutual learning and mutual understanding.”

The exhibition, according to Zhao Shiren, is a step toward greater cultural harmony between the peoples of Pakistan and China because “the more we were integrated, knowing each other’s heritage, craftsmanship, culture, as well as intangible intellectual wealth, the better we would be doing in lockstep.”

Published in Dawn, December 8th, 2022