By Miyoko Ishigami
TOKYO, Sept 11 (KUNA) -- The State of Kuwait is currently taking part in the third Arabic Arts Festival held in the Chinese capital Beijing, with participants underlining necessity of boosting ties and cultural interactions between the Chinese and Arab nations.
The cultural event has already kicked off, with Kuwait's participation, led by Mohammad Al-Asousi, Deputy Secretary General of the National Council for Culture, Arts, and Letters.
At the forum of "Ministers of culture of China and the Arab world," which was held as part of the festival, on Wednesday, the two sides adopted the Beijing Declaration, a blueprint to build "a new culture to revive the Silk Road," Al-Asousi told KUNA.
Addressing the cultural forum, which was attended by Arab and Chinese culture ministers, Al-Asousi underlined that Kuwait is celebrating UN honoring of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah as a "Humanitarian Leader." The official Kuwaiti also stressed the importance of building a stronger relationship between the Arab world and China.
For his part, Chinese Culture Minister Cai Wu said China attaches great importance to cultural relations with China, noting that the Arabic Arts Festival aims to expand exchanges and enhance bilateral friendship based on the theme of "writing a new page of the spirit of the Silk Road." China and Arab states have designated 2014-2015 as the years of China-Arab friendship. This year's arts festival, which coincides with the 10th anniversary of the founding of the annual China-Arab Cooperation Forum, boasts new features, such as a series of events covering art performances, forums, exhibitions and a film festival in the long run through October.
The events will be held in 10 provinces and municipalities across China. Since its launch in 2006, the Arabic Arts Festival has become the biggest and most influential arts festival between the Arab world and China as well as a new connection and exchange platform for the two countries. Al-Asousi also attended a meeting between Arab culture ministers and Chinese Vice Premier Liu Yandong, in which Liu voiced pleasure with the Arab-Chinese cultural forum, saying the gathering is very successful and has achieved its goal.
"Cooperation between the Arab world and China is based on our historical background and friendship," she was quoted as saying. Yang also called for stronger Arab-China strategic cooperation in all fields by taking the opportunities offered by "the Silk Road economic belt and the 21st century maritime Silk Road development proposals." (end) mk.rk