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    International Exhibition of China's Reforms and Opening up in 40 Years

    Written by: Staff Report
    Posted on: February 21, 2019 | | 中文

    President Xi Jinping at the Foreign Experts Symposium, 2014

    The Cultural Office of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China, China Cultural Centre in Pakistan and National History and Literary Heritage Division, organized the International Photography Exhibition of China’s Reforms and Opening Up in 40 Years on 19th February, 2019 at the National Library of Pakistan, Islamabad. The exhibition is co-hosted by China State Council Information Office, and is part of a series of activities organized to celebrate Chinese New Year in Pakistan.

    Tea Fields of Xianfeng County, Hubei Province

    Tea Fields of Xianfeng County, Hubei Province

    During the Third Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in December 1978, the “reform and opening-up” policies of China were introduced under Deng Xiaoping, who is credited with the “growth and prosperity” of the Chinese people. The policies, which included de-collectivizing of agriculture, opening up the market to foreign investors and allowing entrepreneurs to set up businesses, turned China into a socialist market economy. The last forty years have seen extraordinary progress in the development of China, with an improvement in living standards, the emergence of a rising middle class and unprecedented economic growth.

    Deng Xiaoping inspecting the Guangdong Province

    Deng Xiaoping inspecting the Guangdong Province

    There are 140 photographs displayed at the venue, which cover 40 years of the historical route adopted, the achievements in development, win-win cooperation between China and other countries, and the particular reforms which occurred in China. With just one walk around the venue, visitors will be able to comprehensively look at various aspects of the four decades of China’s reformation. Though the exhibition does a brilliant job at providing highlights, it does not deal with any particular topic in great depth. Images with brief descriptions from the diverse sectors of politics, banking, agriculture, environment, culture, entrepreneurship, education and foreign relations, have all been printed on panaflexes which line the corridors of National Library. Some of the panaflexes provide before and after comparisons, such as of the Dongdaqiao Department Store, Beijing which has turned into a modern mall complex, and the Jinji Lake, which transformed into a hub of activity after the establishment of Suzhou Industrial Park. The most striking images deal with ordinary Chinese people, such as a photograph of people boarding an electric bus in Harbin City, and the smiling image of an old woman from Yinchuan Village who was given a new house under process of poverty alleviation. These images prove that the policies haven’t remained limited to political circles, but have actually resulted in changing the lives of the Chinese public.

    An electric bus in Harbin City

    An electric bus in Harbin City

    The Cultural Counsellor of Embassy of the People’s Republic of China to Pakistan, H.E Mr. Zhang HeQing, Joint Secretary of National History and Literary Heritage Division, Syed Junaid Akhlaq, and Director National Library of Pakistan, Syed Ghayoor Hussain, were chief guests on the occasion. Syed Ghayoor Hussain began the ceremony by highlighting how the exhibition will increase awareness regarding Chinese culture, among the 500 to 600 daily visitors of the library, while Syed Junaid Akhlaq talked about various aspects of cultural collaboration between the two countries. “The Pakistan Academy of Letters is developing linkages with China Writer’s Association. Moreover, the National Museum of China will be conducting an exhibition of Pakistani artefacts soon,” Akhlaq said.

    The Shanghai Stock Exchange in October 1991

    The Shanghai Stock Exchange in October 1991

    On behalf of the Cultural Office, the newly appointed Cultural Counsellor, H.E. Mr Zhang HeQing, welcomed the visitors to the exhibition, which commemorates the Chinese Lunar Year and Chinese Lantern Festival. He said, “Today, 40 years of China’s economy, society, politics and culture have been expressed through this exhibition.” He also highlighted the 2000-year long friendship shared by Pakistan and China, and reaffirmed the commitment of the Cultural Office towards increased collaboration with various cultural departments of Pakistan.

    The Cultural Office of the Embassy gifted copies of the book, “Xi Jinping: The Governance of China,” to the National Library of Pakistan. The ceremony also included a dance performance by students of Islamabad International Grammar School, in honour of the new cultural counsellor. Children’s books about China and panda souvenirs were gifted to the children.

    Performance by children of Islamabad International Grammar School

    Performance by children of Islamabad International Grammar School

    The exhibition will remain open to the public at the National Library of Pakistan till 24th February, 2019.


    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