STORY: Showcasing Syrian antiquities in China helps foster deeper cultural exchanges: official
SHOOTING TIME: Earlier footage
DATELINE: May 30, 2024
LENGTH: 0:01:47
LOCATION: Damascus
CATEGORY: CULTURE

SHOTLIST:
1. various of Syrian antiquities showcased in both Syria and China
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Arabic): MOHAMMED NAZEER AWAD, Head of the General Directorate for Antiquities and Museums in Syria
3. SOUNDBITE 2 (Arabic): MOHAMMED NAZEER AWAD, Head of the General Directorate for Antiquities and Museums in Syria
4. SOUNDBITE 3 (Arabic): MOHAMMED NAZEER AWAD, Head of the General Directorate for Antiquities and Museums in Syria

STORYLINE:

Syrian antiquities, currently being showcased in expos across China, provide a unique window into its rich culture and help foster deeper cultural exchanges, said Mohammed Nazeer Awad, head of the General Directorate for Antiquities and Museums in Syria.

SOUNDBITE 1 (Arabic): MOHAMMED NAZEER AWAD, Head of the General Directorate for Antiquities and Museums in Syria
"The presence of the exhibitions in China will allow many people to visit China as China is a tourist country that attracts visitors from all over the world. We wanted the exhibitions to stay in China to be accessible to many visitors across the world to learn about the Syrian civilization. The exhibition is also a tool for people to get to know and understand each other."

SOUNDBITE 2 (Arabic): MOHAMMED NAZEER AWAD, Head of the General Directorate for Antiquities and Museums in Syria
"The presence of these exhibitions has multiple goals, which are to introduce the Syrian civilization and also enhance cultural relations with Chinese people, with whom we have very important relationships."

Awad also expected to see extensive cultural cooperation between China and Syria. 

SOUNDBITE 3 (Arabic): MOHAMMED NAZEER AWAD, Head of the General Directorate for Antiquities and Museums in Syria
"There is cooperation being established in a conference hosted by the Shanghai Museum, which mainly focuses on intangible heritage. There will be a delegate from the Syrian Ministry of Culture at this conference, and gradually we see cultural cooperation with the Chinese expand in more areas, including heritage. Perhaps there will be further cultural cooperation in other areas related to art, theater, and hosting each other's artistic groups."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Damascus.
(XHTV)