The Minister of Culture announces the launch of the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Award for Cultural Cooperation between the Kingdom and China

In the presence of His Highness Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, Minister of Culture and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Award for Cultural Cooperation between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the People’s Republic of China, the Ministry of Culture, in cooperation with the King Abdulaziz Public Library, organized today the award’s commencement ceremony at the King Abdulaziz Public Library branch. At Peking University, in the presence of a number of officials from the Saudi and Chinese sides, as well as intellectuals and academics, including deans, professors and students of Peking University.

His Highness the Minister of Culture said in a speech he delivered at the ceremony, “Today I am honored to launch the “Prince Mohammed bin Salman Award for Cultural Cooperation between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the People’s Republic of China,” which confirms the interest of our wise leadership in cultural communication with the peoples of the world, especially the Chinese people, with whom we are connected. A deep history of cultural and cognitive communication.”

His Highness stressed that, through “the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 and the Chinese reform and opening-up policy, great opportunities are being created, which we can invest together to achieve greater cultural rapprochement.” Hence, this award falls at the meeting point between two civilizational visions that share ambitions and give culture a fundamental role in achieving goals.”

His Highness added that this award, coming from the heart of the Arabian Peninsula, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, aspires to build a “road of knowledge,” and to be inspired by the cultural values ​​of the historic Silk Road, take it to renewed horizons, and restore its essential role in building solid bridges between our two peoples, and to contribute to rapprochement. Between the two ancient civilizations by honoring the creators in its four branches.

His Highness concluded his speech by saying: “The keenness for cultural communication has always been present between the leaders of the two friendly countries. Today, the award represents an Arab cultural icon that enhances the opportunities for this cultural rapprochement between the Arab and Chinese cultures to move to new horizons.”

The ceremony witnessed a speech by His Excellency the President of Peking University, Mr. Gong Zhi Huang, and His Excellency the General Supervisor of the King Abdulaziz Public Library, Mr. Faisal bin Muammar, in addition to a speech by the Secretary General of the Award, Professor Dr. Abdul Mohsen bin Salem Al-Aqili, which generally included an emphasis on the importance of the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Award. For cultural cooperation between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the People’s Republic of China, and its role in strengthening civilizational and cultural relations between the two friendly countries, and serving human knowledge in general.

The ceremony was attended by His Excellency the Deputy Minister of Culture, Mr. Hamid bin Muhammad Fayez, His Excellency the Assistant Minister of Culture, Mr. Rakan bin Ibrahim Al-Touq, His Excellency the Ambassador of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to the People’s Republic of China, Mr. Abdul Rahman bin Ahmed Al-Harbi, and the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture for International Cultural Relations, Engineer Fahd bin Abdul Rahman Al-Kanaan.