A visitor to the "Image-Making" China-Pakistan cultural exchange art exhibition checks one of the oldest carpets on display on Tuesday in Shanghai. Photo: Du Qiongfang/Global Times

An exhibition of a Pakistani carpet art collection and Chinese photography works kicked off in Shanghai on Tuesday to mark the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan and their harmonious yet different cultures. 

The cultural exchange art exhibition running through August 8 is titled "Image-Making," featuring a total of 35 exquisite Pakistani handcraft carpets, including five dating back to the 18th century. They are on display along with 20 photographs by a Chinese photographer as well as more than a dozen paintings by Chinese painters. 

"The China-Pakistan economic corner is not only promoting business and economic cooperation between the two countries, but it's also a very solid platform for promotion of cultural cooperation," Hussain Haider, Consul General of Pakistan in Shanghai said when addressing the opening ceremony on Tuesday, wishing for even stronger cooperation between the two countries in culture and people-to-people interaction. 

"China and Pakistan have much deeper roots in culture, art, society and way of living other than their bilateral economic ties," said Zubair Jan, collector of the Pakistani carpet art pieces. 

According to Jan, carpet is the world's oldest canvas painting and it was brought into China through the ancient Silk Road during Tang Dynasty (618-907) when culture exchanges between the two nations have since been flourishing. 

The photography works on display created by Li Rongkai, a Chinese photographer and director of art films are based on the ontology of cultural awareness. He took the culture of the Yi ethnic minority group as his source of inspiration. 

"Through this, we have realized how profound cultural communication is between the two cradles of civilization. We have endeavored to put the two different cultures together harmoniously, illustrating our brilliant and proud tradition and looking forward to a brighter future," said Gong Zhiyun, academic advisor of the exhibition.