Saudi Gazette report

BEIJING — Saudi Arabia's Museums Commission has signed separate executive programs with China's National Museum and Palace Museum in Beijing on Thursday. The deals were concluded in the presence of the visiting Saudi Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah and Chinese Minister of Culture and Tourism Sun Yeli.

The executive program signed with China's National Museum aims to further strengthen cultural ties between Saudi Arabia and China and foster collaboration and development in the museums sector. This partnership is based on the memorandum of understanding (MoU), signed in Beijing on March 27, 2024, between the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of China and the Ministry of Culture of Saudi Arabia during the then visit of Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah to China.

The Implementation Plan lays a foundation for deep cooperation in the museums sector between the two nations, covering exhibitions, long-term loans of artworks and cultural relics, and other shared cultural projects.

Under the executive program, the two sides will focus on the following key areas:

1. Establishing a Joint Bilateral Forum for National Museums: The two parties will explore the establishment and organization of a bilateral forum between the national museums of Saudi Arabia and China to enhance exchange and collaboration in the museums sector.

2. Long-term Loaning of Artworks and Archaeological Collections. The National Museum of China will loan artworks and archaeological collections to be displayed in Saudi Arabia's museums, and that is in accordance with the provisions of China's Cultural Relics Protection Law.

3. Art Exhibition Exchange Program: As part of the cooperation, the two sides will organize a series of exhibition exchanges between 2025 and 2026. The National Museum will display traditional Chinese musical instruments in Saudi Arabia, offering a comprehensive overview of China's musical heritage. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia's "Art of the Kingdom" (Fan Al Mamlaka) exhibition will be showcased at the National Museum in Beijing, presenting Saudi Arabia's contemporary art scene.

4. Exploration of Future Areas of Cooperation: Both parties also agreed to explore additional areas of cooperation within the framework of this executive program. The cultural institutions of both nations will work together to foster collaboration on museum exhibitions and other cultural projects, further strengthening mutual trust and cooperation in the cultural field.

The signing of the executive program marks a new milestone in cultural exchange between Saudi Arabia and China, demonstrating both nations' shared commitment to fostering international cultural dialogue and cooperation. Through this collaboration, the two countries will not only share their vibrant cultural heritage but also create new opportunities for future cultural projects.

This cooperation plan aligns with Saudi Vision 2030 and China's Belt and Road Initiative, underscoring the importance of international cultural collaboration. Through this partnership, Saudi Arabia and China will jointly contribute to the preservation and dissemination of cultural heritage, bringing new opportunities to the global cultural stage.

Also on Thursday, the Museums Commission and the Palace Museum of China signed the Museum Cooperation Executive Program. This cooperation is based on the MoU on Cultural Cooperation signed in Beijing on March 27, 2024, between the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of China and the Saudi Ministry of Culture during Minister of Culture Prince Badr's visit to China. The executive program aims to further enhance cultural ties between the two nations and foster collaboration and development in the museums management field. The program includes exhibitions, long-term loans of artworks and cultural artifacts, as well as other shared cultural initiatives, laying a foundation for deeper cooperation in the cultural sector.

Key points of the Implementation Plan are the following:

1. Long-term loans of artworks and archaeological collections: The agreement includes terms for the long-term loan of valuable artworks and archaeological collections.

2. Exploration of future areas of cooperation: Both parties also agreed to explore more opportunities within the framework of this cooperation, aimed to expand the scope of cultural exchanges.

The signing of this executive program reflects the commitment of both sides to cultural exchange, emphasizing the importance of museum collaboration in fostering mutual understanding. Through these exchanges, Saudi Arabia and China aim to deepen their understanding of each other's history and culture. This partnership will bring new opportunities for cultural exchange between the two countries.

It is noteworthy that the Museums Commission is one of the 11 sector-specific commissions under the Saudi Ministry of Culture, while China's National Museum and Palace Museum are working with the support of the Chinese Ministry of Culture and Tourism.