Memorandum of Understanding between the Department of Canadian Heritage and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People’s Republic of China on the Canada-China Joint Committee on Culture

The Department of Canadian Heritage and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People’s Republic of China, hereinafter referred to as the “Participants”,

Noting the friendly relations between Canada and China;

Acknowledging their readiness to foster and enhance cultural dialogue and to share their cultural accomplishments and expressions with each other;

Have reached the following understanding:

1. The Participants established the Canada-China Joint Committee on Culture (the “Joint Committee”) as a permanent platform for advancing Canada-China cultural cooperation. The Participants understand that the Joint Committee will encourage:
   1. sharing of knowledge on culture, heritage and national development;
   2. exchange and learning opportunities for management professionals in cultural trade, public cultural services and other cultural sectors;
   3. dialogue and cooperation on the safeguarding of tangible and intangible cultural heritage;
   4. dialogue on digital technologies in the creative and cultural sectors;
   5. exchange and cooperation projects in the performing arts (dance, circus, music, theater), visual arts, cultural exports, music (recording and live), virtual reality, augmented reality and video games;
   6. sharing of information and expertise on the policies, management models and evaluation systems of their respective art funds;
   7. dialogue and cooperation based on global and multilateral frameworks, including those under the auspices of UNESCO;
   8. cooperation between museums, theaters, foundations and major cultural festivals of both countries;
   9. exchange and learning opportunities for heritage professionals from both countries;
   10. any other culture-related activities of mutual interest that they may mutually decide upon.
2. The Participants understand that:
   1. the Joint Committee will be co-chaired by the Minister of Canadian Heritage and the Minister of Culture and Tourism of the People’s Republic of China;
   2. the other members of the Joint Committee will be representatives of relevant entities, institutions and organizations that they will each select from their respective countries;
   3. the Joint Committee will meet once every two years alternately in Canada or China, or as jointly decided by the Participants;
   4. the Joint Committee will be supported by a Secretariat consisting of officials from the Department of Canadian Heritage and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People’s Republic of China. The Secretariat will be jointly led by senior officials from these organizations;
   5. the Secretariat will oversee the implementation of cultural cooperation initiatives that 1) fall under the areas enumerated in paragraph 1, 2) are identified under other arrangements signed between the Participants that are currently in effect, or 3) are mutually accepted by the Participants; and
   6. the Secretariat will convene meetings at an appropriate time as jointly decided by the Participants.
3. The Participants will carry out the activities under this Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) in accordance with their respective national law.
4. The Participants will make financial arrangements concerning the hosting of and participation in the Joint Committee meetings on the basis of reciprocity and subject to their respective resources. The hosting Participant will pay for the costs of organizing the meeting, while the sending Participant will cover the travel expenses, food, and accommodation of its participating members.
5. 1. This MOU will take effect on the date of its last signature by the Participants and will terminate and replace the Memorandum of Understanding between the Department of Canadian Heritage and the Ministry of Culture of the People’s Republic of China on the Establishment of a Canada-China Joint Committee on Culture, signed at Beijing on 13 July 2017.
   2. The Participants may amend this MOU upon their mutual consent in writing.
   3. A Participant may terminate this MOU by giving a written notice to the other Participant.

Signed in duplicate at Beijing on this 15th day of January, 2026 in the English, French and Chinese languages, all versions being equally valid.