The Museums Commission, one of the 11 sector-specific commissions under Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Culture, and the National Museum of China, with the support of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of China, have signed an executive program.
This program aims to further strengthen cultural ties between Saudi Arabia and China and foster collaboration and development in the museum sector.
This partnership is based on the memorandum of understanding, signed in Beijing between the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People’s Republic of China and the Ministry of Culture of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia during the Saudi Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan Al Saud visit 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:
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 museum sector.
Long-term Loaning of Artworks and Archaeological Collections
In accordance with the provisions of China’s Cultural Relics Protection Law, the National Museum will loan artworks and archaeological collections to be displayed in Saudi Arabia’s museums.
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.
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.
