He was speaking at the inauguration of a week-long photo- exhibition on the world cultural and natural heritage sites in China.
The event was arranged by Pakistan National Council of the Arts and the Chinese embassy to mark the 30th anniversary of the restoration of Chinese seat to the United Nations. The federal culture minister, Col (Rtd)
S.K. Tressler, inaugurated the exhibition.
The ambassador said China was one of the main signatories to the convention of the protection of the world cultural and natural heritage. He also informed the audience that Unesco had identified 690 national heritage sites throughout the world, and 27 of these were in his country.
In his presidential remarks, the culture minister said Pakistan was proud of the great strides made by China in cultural development. He said the exhibition was excellent and made “us feel small in remaining behind in preserving Pakistan’s sites of cultural heritage”.
He promised to launch several schemes to attract world attention towards the magnificence of the country’s culture.
He said China was Pakistan’s most sincere and trust-worthy friend in all times.
Earlier, the PNCA director general, Raja Changez Sultan, described the exhibition as a brilliant effort that mirrored one of the oldest civilizations of the world with immense diversity.
He said it showed that the Chinese people possessed refinement, dignity and civility.
As many as 15 Chinese photographers have contributed 59 pieces to the exhibition, portraying the Great Wall, Mount Taishan, imperial palace, Magao caves, mausoleum of Qin emperor, Mount Hugshan, Jiuzhaigou Valley, temples of Confucius, Potala Palace, Lushan National Park, Mount Emel, gardens of Beijing, and the imperial tombs of Ming and Qing dynasties.
The 71-metre tall Buddha statue in Leshan province, photographed by Wan Chu was the centre of attraction in the exhibition. Three photographs, portraying the majestic beauty of the Great Wall, have been contributed by Bian Zhuow, Shajao and Ju Feng.
According to a visitor, the exhibition was a colourful attempt to describe China as a technologically sophisticated, economically vibrant and culturally rich country. — Jonaid Iqbal