Doha, 18 Sept. 2023

Report by Ashraf Siddiqui

‘Welcome Beijing’ pictorial exhibition inaugurated recently at the Katara Cultural Village Foundation Doha, Qatar to mark 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between People’s Republic of China and State of Qatar.

Present on the occasion were HE Yin Li, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Secretary of the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee; Dr Khalid bin Ibrahim AlSulaiti, Director General, Katara Cultural Village Foundation; Charged d’ Affaires Chen Yue at the Chinese Embassy; diplomats; dignitaries;  Katara Cultural Village Officials; and art lovers.

The exhibition under the theme ‘ Capital, Ancient Charm, New Look, Humanity and Ecology’ is organised at the Building No. 47, Katara is exhibiting around 75 pictures displaying Beijing culture, the vitality of its renaissance and the charm of its civilization.

The Director General Katara Cultural Village Foundation, Dr Khalid bin Ibrahim Al Sulaiti in his speech on the occasion stated that the exhibition reflects the common and permanent ambition to increase communication, cooperation and cultural exchange between Qatar and China.

He noted the role of art in the cultural rapprochement between people and strengthening ties.

He said that the photos in the exhibition have a great impact in spreading Beijing’s beauty, discovering its nature and spreading China’s history and its ancient civilization.

He pointed out that this exhibition reaffirms the deep and strong relations between Qatar and China and their mutual understanding and rapprochement which further enhances cultural cooperation so that diverse and distinctive cultural events can constantly be held.

Charge d’Affaires of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China to Qatar Chen Yue said that the exhibition reflects the cooperation between Katara and the Chinese Embassy in Doha.

He also praised the strategic partnership between the two friendly countries and expressed his hopes that the Chinese-Qatari relations will have impactful results in the future.

Yue pointed out that cooperation and cultural exchange between Doha and Beijing has become a model to be followed in building relations, cultural ties and joint cooperation between countries.

Among the pictures include world cultural heritage sites such as the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, and the Temple of Heaven, as well as iconic Olympic venues like the Bird’s Nest and the Water Cube, and beloved giant pandas displaying how the megacity succeeds in becoming a world-renowned tourist destination.

Abdulaziz Al Anzy, a Qatari civil engineer accompanied with family members said on the occasion that these photos rekindled many of the good memories in Beijing.

“I love Beijing, particularly love the city in winter, as it’s the first place where I’ve ever seen snow. I hope there will be more events like this in the future to bridge both countries through tradition, culture and art. China is truly beautiful, and the Chinese people are very friendly.

He added that he often tell his family members and friends that they must visit China to experience it for themselves.