BEIJING: An international symposium along with a photo exhibition on the research of Swat Valley and Uddiyana civilization was held at Tsinghua University in Beijing on Thursday.
Centre for Pakistan Culture and Communication Studies at Tsinghua University organized the event.
Pakistan Ambassador to China, Moin ul Haque, DG Department of Asian Affairs of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Liu Jingsong, Vice President of Tsinghua University, Peng Gang, other officials from the Pakistan Embassy and Tsinghua University and students attended the gathering.
Addressing the opening ceremony, Vice President of Tsinghua University, Peng Gang in his remakrs said that understanding the cultural and historical legacy and background of the greater Gandhara region would help to deepen the religious, cultural, trade and diplomatic ties between Pakistan and China .
CPEC highlighted in symposium
He further said that besides having awareness about the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), it would also revive the historical cultural and economic corridor across the Himalayas, Karakoram, and the Hind Kush.
He said that Gandhara and Uddiyana civilization left tremendous footprints in the realm of arts, culture, architecture and spirituality and the most enduring feature is manifested in the art which enchanted the world with its artistic brilliance, intense devotion and innovation.
Meanwhile, Ambassador Haque remarked that China and Pakistan enjoy unique and cordial relations based on strong financial, political support and practical mutual cooperation.
The ambassador said, Pakistan considered China as a best friend and like past and present the relations between both the sides would remain exemplary and remarkable in future
Moin ul Haque further said that the friendship between the two sides was like a heart-to-heart relationship between two people, which has been nurtured over the years by successive generations for decades.
He appreciated commitment and efforts of Tsinghua University to making rigorous research, scholarly exploration and dissemination of knowledge while playing its role to unearth the treasures of history and heritage adding that Pakistan is the seat of Gandhara and its rich archaeological sites and artefacts serve as a window into the past.
He recalled that the Gandhara civilization could also be credited with the establishment of early linkages between the two great friendly countries as many Chinese monks like Fa Xian and Xuan Zasng travelled Silk Road.
The Ambassador underscored the success of the grand Gandhara Art Exhibition at the beautiful Palace Museum for which over 170 artefacts were transported from seven different museums of Pakistan.
The Pakistan Study Centre arranges annual symposium on cultural exchanges between the two nations where top scholars from both sides remain engaged in cross-civilization and cross-cultural dialogue.
