The event organized by the Fund Forum and the China Association for the Advancement of International Friendship was attended by culture and art professionals, academicians, representatives of the diplomatic corps, international organizations and leading Chinese media organizations, Fund Forum said.

The roundtable included reports, presentations and discussions focusing on issues in cultural cooperation between the Fund Forum and its partners in China. Of particular interest was the presentation of the book “The Fund Forum: an option of civil society a practical model”.

The book provides detailed information in Russian, English and Uzbek about the projects and programs overseen by the Fund Forum as well as about practical results achieved and prospects of further activities. The publication, which involved scholars and researchers from Uzbekistan, the United Kingdom, Russia and Austria, systematizes the Fund Forum’s experience in its formation and its role in the development of civil society institutes in Uzbekistan. The book also sheds light on the organization’s strategy of supporting Uzbek culture and arts and artists, as well as of addressing acute social problems and developing dialog in society.

The Chinese participants highly rated the Fund Forum’s activities in developing international cooperation, particularly in boosting mutual understanding between Uzbekistan and China. During the discussions the sides voiced proposals on further joint projects and expansion of bilateral ties in culture, support of young talents, traditional medicine and tourism.

Symbolically, the event coincided with the 7th year since the Fund Forum opened its representative office in China which became one of the organization’s first representative offices abroad. To highlight the date, the Fund Forum also organized a major exhibition, “125 Years of Uzbek Photography”, at Millennium Memorial, an architectural marvel in Beijing, as part of the roundtable.

The Fund has made it a tradition to organize cultural presentations, Uzbek Art Evenings and photo exhibitions in China and visits by Uzbek artists and art specialists to China. The organization has set up links with several Chinese partners, including the China Association for the Advancement of International Friendship and Soong Ching Ling Foundation, with which cooperation memorandums have been initialed.

Tan Wenshan, vice-chairman of Soong Ching Ling Foundation:

- “We have been in collaboration with the Fund Forum for several years and I would like to note that our collaborative projects have produced positive results. Our foundation is interested in continuing to develop and support the close relationship with the Fund Forum. Today’s presentation has given us a good opportunity to discuss new ideas and projects.”

Yu Yang, president of POLY Artist Management Co.,Ltd.:

- “We traveled to Uzbekistan last autumn to participate in the Golden Guepard Cinema Forum. I still cherish those warm impressions of your sunny country and the art professionals we met in your country. This event has given us fresh impetus to come up with new project ideas, which would of interest to both the countries. I’m enthusiastic about the idea of organizing an exhibition of a famous Chinese jeweler in Uzbekistan and I think we will soon start negotiations and discussions about it.”