KUWAIT, June 12 (NNN-KUNA) – The third China-Arab state libraries and information experts meeting, kicked off on Tuesday at the National Library of Kuwait, in Kuwait City.
Kamel Al Abdul Jalil, director-general of the National Library of Kuwait, said that the one-day meeting will be held within the framework of the executive program of the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum (CASCF) to discuss effective achievements.
“Culture is an important factor in strengthening political, economic and social relations between the two countries and peoples, thus maximising the benefits of China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative and providing excellent qualities and guarantees,” he said.
“Kuwait is keen to cooperate and open up to civilisations and cultures of superpower countries, such as China,” he noted.
Consulting Director of the Bureau of International Exchanges and Cooperation of China’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Yu Jian, said, the Chinese side hopes that all participants will have an in-depth discussion to reach practical cooperation.
“We are prepared to promote cooperation between Chinese and Arab libraries, and also in the information field and make contributions to deepening mutual understanding of civilisations,” he added.
In 2015, the Arab League (AL) witnessed the first meeting of Arab and Chinese libraries and information experts, where a memorandum of understanding was signed between the AL General Secretariat and the National Library of China.
“In July 2018, the China and Saudi Arabia Joint Commission completed the implementation of the first phase of the trial version of the Arabic-Chinese Digital Library.”
Director of Somalia National Library, Mohamed Shail, said, since the launch of the CASCF in 2004, this forum has played an important role in the development of bilateral relations.
“The Arab countries have a historic opportunity to deepen cooperation with China, to promote social and technology development to the interest of the Arab world,” Shail said.
At the meeting, the National Library of Kuwait launched its Digital Library, which includes 1,000 written, audio and visual materials.
These materials documented Kuwait’s heritage, cultural, artistic and media production, that has been acclaimed throughout history.– NNN-KUNA