BEIJING, July 30: Pakistan and China held ministerial-level talks here and discussed a plan to push forward their culture ties and strengthen people-to-people contacts.

The two sides also reached an understanding to take necessary steps for upholding common cultural identity. They also agreed to work together for properly preserving their archaeological and historical resources.

During the talks, Cultural Minister Ghazi Gulab Jamal and his Chinese counterpart Meng Xiaosi pledged to maintain close interaction at the level of their respective institutions to implement the existing bilateral agreement in the cultural sector.

Gulab Jamal told media at the end of his weeklong visit to China that the Chinese side showed willingness to work together with Pakistan to promote and preserve their cultural heritage.

Pakistan and China have strong bonds of friendship and there is a great similarity in their cultures and traditions.

The two sides agreed to follow a ten-point strategy for strengthening their culture ties. The strategy includes: Exchange of cultural delegations and troupes at central and provincial levels on regular basis, training of experts for preservation of cultural monuments, co-production of films and dramas, establishment of a working-liaison between the educational institutions of fine arts, facilitating students of the two countries to acquire higher education in art and culture and helping each other for capacity-building in respect of their archaeological treasures.

As a goodwill gesture, the Chinese side offered technical support in the form of equipment to help in maintaining cultural sites in Pakistan.

Earlier, Syed Ghazi Gulab Jamal and his team met the China’s top-ranking leader Ms Chen Zhili. The two sides reaffirmed their determination to carry forward their deep-rooted bonds of friendship to new generation through maximum cultural exchanges.—APP