On March 22, Pakistan Art, Culture and Heritage Exhibition, co-organized by Pakistan Embassy in Beijing, China World Peace Foundation, Beijing International Peace Culture Foundation and China Internet Information Center and supported by Zhengyangmen administration and Beijing Peace Garden Museum, opened in Beijing as an effort to celebrate the 70th anniversary of Pakistan independence and 66th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Pakistan and China.
In his speech at the opening ceremony, Masood Khalid, Pakistani Ambassador to China, said that Jimmy Engineer, not only one of the top painters and artists in Pakistan but also a social worker, has created over 3,000 paintings and 1,000 plus calligraphies whose works have been exhibited in more than 60 countries. Devoted to assistance to vulnerable groups, Jimmy Engineer once organized a charity collection through Walk in the Countryside. The exhibition, the first one in Beijing, is to celebrate the 70th anniversary of Pakistan independence and 66th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Pakistan and China.
Jimmy Engineer said in his speech that the exhibition not only showcased the traditional Pakistani artistic works but also the friendship harbored by Pakistani people toward the Chinese; art, shared by everyone, has no boundaries or religion differences. As a painter and social worker, Jimmy is well prepared to provide his help anytime, anywhere, as long as there is a need from the Chinese people.
Dr. LI Ruohong, President of China World Peace Foundation, said in his speech that the Belt and Road is a great path leading to international peace and development, and the core of the path is people-to-people contact. The friendship between China and Pakistan, which transcends social system, religion and national boundary, has set a paradigm for cooperation among different civilizations under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative. The development of the relations between the two countries has not only maintained regional peace but also affected global pattern.
China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), acclaimed as the first movement of the Belt and Road symphony, has played a beautiful tone as it has already been connected, Wang Xiaohui, Editor-in-Chief of China Internet Information Center said in his opening remark. The exchange of culture between the two peoples has become more and more frequent along with closer economic ties between the two countries. It is believed that the people-to-people contact will become intimate and the friendship between the two peoples will be more consolidated.
Wang also pointed out that media plays an indispensible role in international communications. The website www.china.org.cn, with its users over 200 countries and regions, is an important window through which China spreads information to the international community. The Belt and Road official website, focusing on the connectivity of policy, road, trade, currency and people’s heart, will be the building blocks for exchanges and communications among countries along the Route and will provide its strength for global communication.
Sha Zukang, Chairman of China-Pakistan Friendship Association said, as CPEC is undergoing a vigorous phase of development the two countries need to do more in artistic and cultural exchanges. He also hoped more exhibitions such as this one can been seen in China and Pakistan.
Speech by Masood Khalid, Pakistani Ambassador to China during the Opening Ceremony
Speech by Jimmy Engineer during the Opening Ceremony
Speech by Dr. Li Ruohong, President of China World Peace Foundation
Speech by Wang Xiaohui, Editor-in-Chief of China Internet Information Center
Speech by Ji Qingyuan, one of the top Chinese artists in Fine Art
Speech by Sha Zukang, Chairman of China-Pakistan Friendship Association
A Glimpse of Pakistan Art, Culture and Heritage Exhibition