The federal minister said while political, economic and infrastructural cooperation, including collaboration under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), remained strong, the true foundation of the bilateral relationship laid in people-to-people contacts and cultural exchange. Speaking on the occasion, Cultural Counsellor of the Embassy of China in Pakistan, Chen Peng highlighted the importance of cultural exchange and mutual learning through the protection of cultural heritage. He said cooperation between Pakistan and China in archaeology and cultural heritage protection had produced encouraging results. He referred to the exhibition of 173 Pakistani cultural relics at the Forbidden City in Beijing in 2023, describing it as the largest Gandhara art exhibition to date. The Chinese Language and Chinese Culture Experience Course is being held from August 10 to 13, with around 50 Chinese and Pakistani guests, students and staff participating.