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    Jimmy Engineer Makes History for China-Pakistan Relations

    Written by: Zoon Ahmed Khan
    Posted on: March 27, 2017 | | 中文

    Jimmy Engineer's rendition of Mughal heritage welcomes visitors to the prestigious Zhengyangmen Museum in Beijing

    “I am the servant of Pakistan, and wherever I go, I promote my country. We must show to the world how enlightened, creative and positive Pakistanis are”, says the celebrated artist, social worker and philanthropist Jimmy Engineer, as he exhibits his timeless collection at the prestigious Zhengyangmen Museum, built during the Ming Dynasty in 1415, in the political and cultural hub of Beijing. In a time when China and Pakistan are achieving new heights of cooperation and trust, Engineer’s message of peace and love for mankind leaves a deep imprint on people from both sides of the border.

    Art lovers gather at the Zhengyangmen Museum on 25th March - Art Exhibition by Jimmy Enginner at Zhengyangmen Museum, China

    Art lovers gather at the Zhengyangmen Museum on 25th March

    Entitled Art, Culture and Heritage of Pakistan, Engineer’s exhibition, which runs from 22nd to 28th March, has been organized by the Embassy of Pakistan and the China World Peace Foundation. It is part of the celebration of Pakistan’s 70th Independence Day, as well as 66 years of diplomatic ties with China. The ceremony was opened by H.E. Masood Khalid, Ambassador to China, with Sha Zukang, President of the China-Pakistan Friendship Association, and Dr. Li Ruohong, President of the China World Peace Foundation. As a gesture of love and goodwill to the people of China, Engineer donated one of his original paintings to the National Art Museum of China. This is also the first time that a foreign artist is exhibiting his work in the historic Zhengyangmen Museum, according to official sources in the Embassy of Pakistan.

    'The Last Burning Train of 1947' - Art Exhibition by Jimmy Enginner at Zhengyangmen Museum, China

    'The Last Burning Train of 1947' (2009) [source: China.org.cn]

    The historic Zhengyangmen Museum’s magnificence may have dwarfed any ordinary artist’s presence through the canvas, but clearly not in the case of Jimmy Engineer. His eminent manifestations titled Dreams about Partition stand tall and stimulating at the exhibition’s entrance. Hundreds of his works displayed in the majestic halls of this historic site serve to mark a new era of cultural and people-to-people exchange between China and Pakistan.

    'Home-bound' - Art Exhibition by Jimmy Enginner at Zhengyangmen Museum, China

    'Home-bound' (1999) [source: China.org.cn]

    Embellished with landscapes, seascapes and the faces of ordinary people, Engineer’s passion for his country and the sacrifices that were made to achieve it, his love for humanity regardless of color, creed and caste, and his relentless efforts to make a difference are visible in all of his creations. While most of Engineer’s work deals with realist art, one can also find hints of symbolism in his pieces. Although he possesses traits of European renaissance painters as well as eastern miniature artists, his artworks focus more on ordinary people and everyday situations. His latest work is a series of sketches of historical and contemporary Chinese personalities, as a tribute to the friendship and deep ties between the two countries.

    'Composition of Pakistani Architecture' - Art Exhibition by Jimmy Enginner at Zhengyangmen Museum, China

    'Composition of Pakistani Architecture' (2004) [source - China.org.cn]

    “Nature and ordinary people inspire me”, said Engineer as he addressed a gathering at the exhibition on 25th March, for a more open exchange of thoughts and insights into his life as an artist and philanthropist. Famous for his walks for peace, particularly his year-long walk in 1994 through villages all over Pakistan, Engineer stressed that if we want to make a difference in people’s lives, we must find practical ways to help them. “If you idealize Buddha, don’t just sit in front of him; walk in his footsteps”, he stated. The event concluded with exchanges between Engineer and representatives from the Pakistan Embassy and China World Peace Foundation.

    Engineer has utilized a wide range of techniques and created a cacophony of art forms from sketches, faces, seascapes, landscapes, and calligraphy. But what binds this eclectic mix is his uncompromising standard for excellence. “The love and respect which I get from ordinary people is what inspires me”, said the artist, sending a powerful message of the need for practical measures when we speak of making a difference. Engineer closed the gathering expressing his gratitude to the Embassy of Pakistan and Ambassador Masood Khalid for their unyielding efforts to promote his work in this prestigious exhibit, and to China for its efforts in bringing Pakistan on the road to success.

    'China-Pakistan Friendship Forever' - Art Exhibition by Jimmy Enginner at Zhengyangmen Museum, China

    'China-Pakistan Friendship Forever' - Engineer poses with a traditional Chinese calligrapher

     


    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