An event was held to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the launch of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and "Belt and Road" (BRI) initiative and the 74th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China on Monday.
The event titled Pakistan-China Friendship Festival was organised by the All Pakistan-China Friendship Association (APCFA) in collaboration with the Chinese Embassy in Serena Hotel Islamabad.
According to a press statement, Chinese calligraphy classes, Chinese culinary training sessions, Chinese calligraphy workshops, musical band performances and other stalls of traditional items promoting the bilateral culture of both countries were part of the event.
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HE Zhang Heqing, Cultural Counsellor and Director of China Cultural Centre in Pakistan graced the event as the chief guest. In his remarks at the event, he expressed his heartfelt appreciation to APCFA for “their hard work in organising such a significant event and actively participating in similar cultural promotion activities encouraging youth in both the countries”.
He further said: “China and Pakistan are good neighbours by rivers and mountains. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations both countries have stood the twists and turns, challenges and hard times.”
He went on to add that both countries enjoyed long histories. “Pakistan has a 4600-year history dating back to the Mohinjo Daro and Harappa civilizations. China has a long history dating back to the Liangzhu civilizations,” he said, adding that the second similarity both countries shared was population. “China has the world’s largest population, and Pakistan is most likely the world’s fifth largest.”
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Endorsing the remarks of the other speakers, he also acknowledged the role that youth have played and will play in the development of both countries. He hoped that the youth would study hard and make greater progress for Pakistan and that they would be great ambassadors of the China-Pakistan friendship.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 18th, 2023.
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