Photo exhibition in Pakistan celebrates Chinese New Year

A photo exhibition entitled "China Stories" as well as an exhibition of intangible cultural heritage crafts kicked off in Pakistan on Feb. 5, showcasing a dynamic and innovative China combining its traditional cultural heritage and modern development.

The exhibition was sponsored by the Chinese Embassy in Pakistan, the Beijing People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, the Xicheng district government of Beijing municipality, and the China Cultural Center in Pakistan. It featured over 80 pictures depicting China's cultural, economic and social development.

You Yi, Chinese cultural counsellor in Pakistan, sent best wishes to the visiting guests in his speech at the opening ceremony. He said the Chinese Embassy has promoted a series of cultural activities to celebrate Chinese New Year, with the ongoing photo and handicraft exhibitions presenting more opportunities for guests to learn about China's traditional cultural heritage.

"As the key partner of China under the Belt and Road Initiative, the increasing cultural exchange and expanding cooperation play a positive role in connecting people and culture in both countries," he said.

Li Yi, deputy head of Xicheng district in Beijing, said the Chinese capital is bountiful in cultural resources, and it will strengthen the cultural links with countries along the Belt and Road route, taking the Chinese New Year celebrations as a platform to promote Beijing's history and culture overseas as well as to present China's drastic changes to the world.

Syed Junaid, joint secretary of the National History and Literary Heritage Division of Pakistan, said in his speech that China enjoys a long history and glorious culture, with rich experience in protecting its cultural heritage. China and Pakistan hereby share extensive potential and promising prospects with regard to cooperation on cultural and heritage protection, he said. 

Through performances brought by seven inheritors of intangible cultural heritage from Beijing's Xicheng district, visitors to the exhibitions learned about the delicate Chinese folk arts such as maned figurines, painted snuff bottles, papercutting and others.

Over 140 representatives from governments, institutions, Pakistan-based universities and Confucius Institute, as well as major local media outlets attended the exhibitions.