Symbol of time-tested friendship

China gifts Rs2.5 billion 'Pakistan China Friendship Centre', inauguration scheduled for next month.

ISLAMABAD: The inaugural ceremony of Pakistan China Friendship Centre, a gift from the People’s Republic of China, is scheduled for next month. The centre has been built over a period of two years at an estimated cost of Rs2.5 billion.

The building will include a state-of-the-art auditorium with 800 seats, an exhibition centre, a conference room
for 250 people and a multipurpose hall.

Constructed by the Shanghai Construction Group under arrangements of the Government of China, the centre will most likely become functional in the second week of December. The Ministry of Culture will be responsible for its operation, maintenance and management, The Express Tribune has learnt.

The spokesperson for the Capital Development Authority (CDA) Ramzan Sajid told The Express Tribune that the Chinese government offered to establish the centre in December 2004. CDA had provided 12 acres
land for the centre as an expression of solidarity with China and the deepening of Sino-Pak relations.

Project Director Brigadier Maqbool told The Express Tribune that the project was completed within the stipulated time. He said more than 200 Chinese engineers took part in the construction of this centre. To a query, he said the project was not highlighted due to security concerns, but a ceremony would be held in Islamabad soon and the control of the building would be handed over to the Ministry of Culture.

Khalid Javed, executive director Lok Virsa, said “It will provide a wide range of facilities to promote understanding in different fields of life, especially education for the youth.”

He added that the project signifies a special feature of cultural exchange between Pakistan and China, as diplomatic relations between the two countries are based on mutual trust and cooperation.”

The friendship between the two countries has achieved great depth over the last 50 years and the Pak-China Friendship Centre is being considered a significant milestone in this direction, he said.

“The two countries have developed a unique partnership in political, economic, defense, culture and other fields. China has made commendable contributions to Pakistan’s economic development, particularly in building infrastructure and setting up of heavy industry,” he added.

Chinese Ambassador Lou Zhoi on the ground-breaking ceremony back in 2008 had remarked, “This centre would facilitate the Pakistani people to understand the culture and traditions of China.

It will help strengthen people-to-people relations with exchange of cultural programmes, business, sports
and tourism.”

He said the Shanghai Construction Group (SCG), engaged in constructing the tallest buildings in China, will use its expertise in the completion of this project, making it a true representation of relations between the two countries.”

Published in The Express Tribune, November 4^th, 2010.