Guests appreciate cultural relics on display at the Shenzhen Museum in South China's Guangdong, on March 24, 2024. Photo: Courtesy of the Pakistani Embassy in Beijing

The closing ceremony of the exhibition titled Gandhara Heritage along the Silk Road: A Joint China-Pakistan Exhibition took place at the Shenzhen Museum in South China's Shenzhen on Sunday.

The ceremony marked the successful culmination of the largest Gandhara exhibition in China's history, showcasing over 170 artifacts from seven different museums in Pakistan. The exhibition debuted in 2023 at the prestigious Palace Museum in Beijing for three months but due to overwhelming interest from the Chinese audience, it evolved into a touring exhibition, making stops in Northwest China's Gansu Province before finally debuting in Shenzhen.

Speaking at the event, Ambassador Khalil Hashmi reflected on the significance of the initiative, highlighting the successful collaboration between Pakistan and China in organizing the largest Gandhara art exhibition in China. He emphasized the importance of cultural and people-to-people exchanges.

Ambassador Hashmi also hinted at future joint initiatives, indicating ongoing plans for further exhibitions showcasing the shared heritage between the two countries. Additionally, he illuminated Pakistan's rich historical legacy as the seat of the Gandhara civilization and its contributions to cultural exchanges along the ancient Silk Road.