Saudi Culture Minister Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan announced the ''Prince Mohammed bin Salman Award for Cultural Cooperation between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the People's Republic of China'' during a visit to King Abdulaziz Public Library at Beijing University on Thursday.
The award honors outstanding Saudi and Chinese academics, linguists and innovators in the categories of the best scientific research in Arabic language, the best artistic creative work, the best translation of a book from Arabic language to Chinese and vice versa, the personality of the year and the most influential personality in cultural circles for the year, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
"This partnership in the name of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, is an embodiment for joint commitment to building cultural bridges between the two countries, developing cultural exchange and enhancing artistic and academic opportunities for our citizens'', SPA quoted the Minister as saying in a speech.
The annual award aims to promote Arabic and creative language, literature, and arts in China, and mutual understanding and the cultural exchange between Saudi and Chinese cultures, SPA said.
The Kingdom and China have a long history of cultural cooperation, including the annual festival of Arab arts.
King Abdulaziz Public Library was inaugurated at Beijing University in 2017 during the official visit paid to China by The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz.
The library’s Supervisor General Faisal bin Abdulrahman bin Muaammar thanked the Crown Prince for sponsoring and supporting the launch of the new award during his visit to China.
He said that King Abdulaziz Public Library's Branch at Beijing University "has the honor of being the headquarters of this international award."