TEHRAN — On the sidelines of the second general meeting of the Asian Cultural Heritage Association (ACHA) on Wednesday, Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Seyyed Reza Salehi Amiri said that given Iran’s cultural and historical attractions, tourism and cultural heritage relations with China will be elevated to a strategic level.
According to the Public Affairs Department of the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Salehi-Amiri, who visited Chongqing, China to attend the second ACHA General Assembly, stressed the importance of developing cultural and tourism cooperation with China after arriving.
“China is one of our priorities in the three areas of cultural heritage, tourism and handicrafts. We have joint cooperation in all three areas, and we must develop these cooperation,” he said.
Referring to Iran’s strategic role in ACHA, he said, “We are one of the founders of this alliance and will actively participate in this session, where the High Council and the General Assembly will be held simultaneously, and will also participate in the elections.”
He pointed to Iran’s extensive tourism capabilities, adding that China currently sends 160 million tourists abroad annually and plans to increase this number to 200 million by 2030. “Iran’s share in this field has not been large so far and we are trying to strengthen our position.”
Regarding Iran’s cultural and historical diversity and attractions, he said, “Given these capabilities, Iran can become one of the major tourist destinations for Chinese people.”
He further said that while China occupies an important position in the world in the field of handicrafts, Iran also produces more than 299 types out of a total of 400 categories in the world. Therefore, China could be one of the target export markets for Iranian handicrafts, he added.
Prime Minister Salehi-Amiri said, “On the occasion of this summit, we will meet and discuss with the tourism and culture ministers of each country to further develop cultural and tourism relations between our two countries.”
Salehi Amiri arrived in Chongqing with an official delegation and was welcomed by Chinese officials and representatives of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
The visit, which was made at the official invitation of the Chinese side, was welcomed by local officials, trade union officials, and diplomats from the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in China.
Salehi Amiri’s two-day trip will include attending and speaking at the opening ceremony of the second ACHA General Assembly, as well as expressing the Islamic Republic of Iran’s position at the third session of the ACHA Board of Directors. The conference is known as one of the most important cultural heritage policy-making forums in Asia and plays a decisive role in formulating strategies for regional cooperation.
During these talks, Salehi Amiri will explain Iran’s broad-based approach in the field of cultural diplomacy and cultural heritage, and emphasize the need to strengthen cooperation among member states towards the protection of Asia’s common heritage and the development of sustainable tourism.
Salehi-Amiri will also hold bilateral talks with the cultural heritage and tourism ministers of member countries, including China and other Asian countries, on the sidelines of the forum. The conference is expected to provide a new platform for expanding cultural exchanges, exchanging professional experiences, and developing cultural heritage and tourism cooperation between Iran and regional countries.
KD