DUNHUANG: A three-member delegation from Pakistan attended the opening ceremony of the two-day third Silk Road International Cultural Expo which started here on Thursday to promote cultural exchanges and trade among the countries along the Belt and Road.
Pakistani delegation comprising Dr. Johar Ali, Member Animal Science, Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC), Dr. Abid Ali Khan, Assistant Prof Peshawar University and Dr. Ata ur Rehman, Counsellor, Scientific, and Technical Affairs, Pakistan Embassy Beijing participated in the event at the invitation of Gansu Provincial People’s Government.
Ministry of Culture and Tourism of China, National Radio and Television Administration and China Council for the Promotion of International Trade were the cosponsored of the expo.
The theme of the expo was “Showcase the Ancient Silk Road, Promote People to People Exchanges, and Build a More Beautiful and Harmonious World”.
Talking to APP, Dr. Johar Ali informed that China had a plan to import meat from Pakistan but the Chinese government wanted to ensure import of mouth and foot disease-free meat.
“For this purpose, the Chinese government would establish a “mouth and foot disease” vaccination zone in Pakistan for the vaccination of animals. After the expo we will sign a memorandum of interest with the government of Gansu Province which would later be turned into a memorandum of understanding,” he added.
He said currently, China was importing meat from the USA, but Pakistani meat would be more economical and available at their doorstep.
Dr. Johar Ali also spoke at the sub-forum on the sidelines of the expo and presented a suggestion to further enhance cooperation between Pakistan and China in various fields.
Dr. Abid Ali opined that this cultural expo would help understand the Chinese culture, adding, “We will be able to get useful input to further enhance cooperation between the two countries in the field of agriculture and animal sciences.”
Some 1000 high level Chinese and international guests from 100 countries and regions attended the opening ceremony.
Chen Qing, Vice Director of Executive of the expo said as the only comprehensive expo in China focusing on the international cultural exchanges related to “The Belt and Road Initiative” it provided an important platform for the cooperation and exchange among the countries and regions along the ancient trade route.
During the expo, multi-level and high-profiled sub-forums and many activities and exhibitions to focus on dialogue and consultation, co-construction and sharing were organized to look into the status and opportunities of Belt and Road Initiative and strive for the consensus among all parties.
Colorful cultural exhibitions, art performances were also organized to highlight cultural exchanges and mutual learning and also to highlight classic creation and brand building.
Dunhuang located in Northwest China’s Gansu province was a major stop on the ancient Silk Road and is best known for the nearby Mogao Grottoes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site containing some of the finest examples of Buddhist art.
According to the Dunhuang tourism administration, over 9 million people visited Dunhuang in 2017, up 12.3 percent year-on-year.