Shanghai Conservatory of Music President Liao Changyong and Deputy Party Secretary Liu Yan received Rakan Altouq, Ashraf Kamel and four other officials from Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Culture on June 20.

Altouq said that Saudi Arabia and China both boast rich culture and have maintained friendly relations. Saudi Arabia is currently promoting its national strategy “Vision 2030” and the newly founded Ministry of Culture is looking forward to meeting partners worldwide in the field of music education.

As the G20 Summit is to be held in Riyadh, the Saudi capital, in 2020, the guests invited SHCM representatives to visit next year.

The visit to the SHCM this time was also to take solid steps in terms of basic music education, student and faculty exchanges and performances in cooperation with SHCM, he added.

Liao appreciated the invitation and said that the SHCM is willing to work with Saudi Arabia on culture and music fusion along the Belt and Road. He also welcomed Arab students to the SHCM.

Early in March Adil Abdulmohsen alMandeel, advisor to the Saudi Ministry of Culture, visited the SHCM and both parties came to a preliminary agreement on collaboration.