Kuwaiti-Chinese relations built on strong foundation, says Information Minister
Minister of Information and Culture and Minister of State for Youth Affairs Abdulrahman Al-Mutairi highlighted the robust foundation of Kuwaiti-Chinese relations while representing His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah at the opening of the conference, “Distance and Close Relations: Silk Road Connects Two Worlds.” The event, held Wednesday at the Yarmouk Cultural Center, was organized by Dar Al-Athar Al-Islamiyyah in cooperation with the Chinese Embassy in Kuwait.
Minister Al-Mutairi emphasized that the ties between Kuwait and China are longstanding and reinforced by recent high-level exchanges, including the visit of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah to China in September 2023. During this visit, both nations signed several memoranda of understanding in diverse fields.
The conference is part of Kuwait’s commitment to preserving its heritage and culture, aligning with the National Council for Culture, Arts, and Letters’ (NCCAL) goals to promote knowledge and support intellectual creativity, according to Minister Al-Mutairi.
Chinese Ambassador to Kuwait Zhang Jianwei praised the role of Dar Al-Athar Al-Islamiyyah in fostering cultural exchange between the two countries. He highlighted China’s enthusiasm for global cultural exchange under President Xi Jinping’s Global Civilization Initiative, which advocates for dialogue, tolerance, and shared knowledge. The ambassador noted that the center holds a valuable collection of Chinese artifacts, underscoring the historical and cultural ties between Kuwait and China.
Acting Assistant Secretary-General for Islamic Monuments at Dar Al-Athar, Dr. Sheikha Al-Anoud Al-Sabah, highlighted the organization’s role in presenting Kuwait’s cultural and heritage contributions worldwide. She noted that Dar Al-Athar, founded in 1983, aligns with Article Seven of Kuwait Vision 2035, focused on preserving national culture and heritage. Dr. Al-Anoud emphasized the significance of the Al-Sabah Collection, which features Islamic and pre-Islamic artifacts tracing cultural connections between China and Kuwait from the Tang Dynasty era through the Silk Road to the present day.
The conference included seminars on trade relations between the Gulf and China, historical Arab writings on China, and future journeys along the Silk Road. The event was attended by key figures, including General Supervisor of Dar Al-Athar Sheikha Hessa Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah, NCCAL Secretary-General Dr. Mohammad Al-Jassar, as well as senior officials from Kuwait’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the China Cultural Center in Kuwait, and various ambassadors.
Source: KUNA
