Print

    'Sangam Club 2016 Gala' Hosted by the Chinese Embassy in Islamabad

    Written by: Staff Report
    Posted on: November 21, 2016 | | 中文

    Guests at the ceremony (source: Chinese Embassy, Twitter)

    The Embassy of the People’s Republic of China organized a ‘Sangam Club 2016 Gala’ on Saturday, November 19th, which invited Pakistanis from all walks of life who have visited China on the invitation of the Chinese Embassy of Pakistan in recent years. The purpose of the gala was to get these people together under one roof to share their diverse experiences in China, exchange notes, and provide suggestions for further promoting people-to-people exchanges between Pakistani and Chinese people.

    The ceremony was held at the Chinese Embassy in Islamabad and was hosted by H.E. Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China and Mrs. Sun Weidong. Guests at the event included Ahsan Iqbal, Federal Minister for Planning and Development of Pakistan, and Akhtar Nawaz Ganjera, Director General Pakistan Sports Board.

    Sangam Gala 2016 at Chinese Embassy Islamabad

    H.E. Mr. Sun Weidong addressing the audience (source - Chinese Embassy, Twitter)

    While addressing the guests, H.E. Mr. Sun Weidong stated that China is always present to provide unconditional support to Pakistan, and that upon completion of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a new economic chapter will open for both countries. He explained that ‘Sangam’ is an Urdu word that literally means ‘a confluence of rivers’, used here as a metaphor to symbolize the friendly relationship between Pakistan and China. The ambassador said that the planned completion of 16 CPEC projects would generate employment for thousands of Pakistanis. He further added that people from both sides of the border travelling between Pakistan and China are ambassadors of both countries and have an important role to play in strengthening the Pak-China bond.

    Director General Pakistan Sports Board Akhtar Nawaz Ganjera also spoke on the occasion. He stated that the reception of the Pakistani team at the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics in 2008 was exceptional, and expressed hope for continued collaboration between the people of the two countries.

    The ceremony was concluded with a number of cultural performances, including a martial arts display by Pakistani students and a performance by a collaborative musical band that had both Chinese and Pakistani members.


    You may also like:

    Learning Amongst the Mountains: Institute for Development Studies and Practices

    (April 19, 2024)

    Pakistan New Zealand Series Begins Amidst Captaincy Chaos

    (April 18, 2024)

    Shabnam: The Shining Star of Excellence

    (April 17, 2024)

    The Art of Manifesting Transcendence: A Look into Religious Architecture

    (April 16, 2024)

    Climate change: The Biggest Catastrophe the World is Going to Witness

    (April 15, 2024)

    A Day Trek to Panjpeer Rocks

    (April 12, 2024)

    Eid-Ul-Fitr: History, Significance and Customs

    (April 09, 2024)

    Henna: The Old and the New

    (April 08, 2024)

    The New Epidemic: The Consequence of Sweeping Mental Health Under the Rug

    (April 05, 2024)

    Dragging Dramas: Commercialism Continues to Triumph over Creativity on Television

    (April 04, 2024)

    As the new year begins, let us also start anew. I’m delighted to extend, on behalf of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and in my own name, new year’s greeting and sincere wishes to YOULIN magazine’s staff and readers.

    Only in hard times can courage and perseverance be manifested. Only with courage can we live to the fullest. 2020 was an extraordinary year. Confronted by the COVID-19 pandemic, China and Pakistan supported each other and took on the challenge in solidarity. The ironclad China-Pakistan friendship grew stronger as time went by. The China Pakistan Economic Corridor projects advanced steadily in difficult times, become a standard-bearer project of the Belt and Road Initiative in balancing pandemic prevention and project achievement. The handling capacity of the Gwadar Port has continued to rise and Afghanistan transit trade through the port has officially been launched. The Karakoram Highway Phase II upgrade project is fully open to traffic. The Lahore Orange Line project has been put into operation. The construction of Matiari-Lahore HVDC project was fully completed. A batch of green and clean energy projects, such as the Kohala and Azad Pattan hydropower plants have been substantially promoted. Development agreement for the Rashakai SEZ has been signed. The China-Pakistan Community of Shared Future has become closer and closer.

    Reviewing the past and looking to the future, we are confident to write a brilliant new chapter. The year 2021 is the 100th birthday of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan. The 100-year journey of CPC surges forward with great momentum and China-Pakistan relationship has flourished in the past 70 years. Standing at a new historic point, China is willing to work together with Pakistan to further implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, connect the CPEC cooperation with the vision of the “Naya Pakistan”, promote the long-term development of the China-Pakistan All-weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership with love, dedication and commitment. Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the founding father of Pakistan said, “We are going through fire. The sunshine has yet to come.” Yes, Pakistan’s best days are ahead, China will stand with Pakistan firmly all the way.

    YOULIN magazine is dedicated to promoting cultural exchanges between China and Pakistan and is a window for Pakistani friends to learn about China, especially the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. It is hoped that with the joint efforts of China and Pakistan, YOULIN can listen more to the voices of readers in China and Pakistan, better play its role as a bridge to promote more effectively people-to-people bond.

    Last but not least, I would like to wish all the staff and readers of YOULIN a warm and prosper year in 2021.

    Nong Rong Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of
    The People’s Republic of China to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
    January 2021