3rd China-Arab states libraries' meeting kicks off in Kuwait

The third China-Arab states libraries and information experts meeting kicked off on Tuesday at the National Library of Kuwait in Kuwait City.

Kamel Al Abdul Jalil, director-general of the National Library of Kuwait, said that the one-day meeting will be held within the framework of the executive program of the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum (CASCF) to discuss effective achievements.

"Culture is an important factor in strengthening the political, economic and social relations between the two countries and peoples, thus maximizing the benefits of China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative and providing excellent qualities and guarantees," he said.

"Kuwait is keen to cooperate and open up to the civilizations and cultures of the superpower countries such as China," he noted.

Consulting Director of Bureau of International Exchanges and Cooperation of China's Ministry of Culture and Tourism Yu Jian said that the Chinese side hopes that all participants will have an in-depth discussion to reach practical cooperation.

"We are prepared to promote cooperation between the Chinese and Arab libraries and also in the information field and make contributions to deepening mutual understanding of civilizations," he added.

Director of the AL Information and Documentation Department of the General Secretariat Hala Gad noted that Arab and Chinese partners agreed on the need to deepen cooperation between the two sides' libraries to achieve a qualitative leap in the field of libraries and information.

In 2015, the Arab League (AL) witnessed the first meeting of Arab and Chinese libraries and information experts, where a memorandum of understanding was signed between the AL General Secretariat and the National Library of China, she said.

"In July 2018, the China and Saudi Arabia Joint Commission completed the implementation of the first phase of the trial version of the Arabic-Chinese Digital Library," she said.

"It is a cultural project that represents an important platform for strengthening the partnership between Arabic and Chinese libraries," she added.

Director of Somalia National Library Mohamed Shail said that since the launch of the CASCF in 2004, this forum has played an important role in the development of bilateral relations.

"The Arab countries have a historic opportunity to deepen cooperation with China to promote social and technology development to the interest of the Arab world," Shail pointed out.

At the meeting, the National Library of Kuwait launched its Digital Library, which includes 1000 written, audio and visual materials.

These materials documented Kuwait's heritage, cultural, artistic and media production that has been acclaimed throughout history.