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    Salaam-Confucius Cultural Exhibition

    Written by: Amna Javed
    Posted on: September 17, 2015 |

    Animated Confucius statues on display

    Over two hundred Confucius statues clinging onto Shanghai balloons complemented the grandeur of the Pakistan-China Friendship Center as they welcomed guests at the inauguration of the Salaam-Confucius Exhibition 2015 – a prime cultural event held as part of the festivities marking 2015 as the Year of Friendly Exchanges between Pakistan and China.

    Hosted by the Pakistan-China Institute in cooperation with the Broad-Link Cultural Creative Group of China and the Tsinghua University, the exhibition brought to Islamabad an array of animated Confucius statues. The day kicked off with a stimulating roundtable discussion on ‘China-Pakistan Relations: Corridors, Culture and Connectivity’. The panel, moderated by Dr. Dushka H. Saiyid, Editor Youlin Magazine, discussed in great detail the importance of preserving cultural heritage along the Economic Corridor.

    Salaam-Confucius Cultural Exhibition

    Musical performance by Khumariyaan, a Peshawar-based band

    Professor Li Xiguang, Director of Tsinghua International Communications Center at the Tsinghua University, and one of the key discussants at the roundtable, headed a delegation of students and professionals from Kashgar in Xinjiang, China to Gilgit-Baltistan in Pakistan via road. Describing his fascinating journey from Kashgar to Hunza, Professor Li highlighted how the presence of Chinese inscriptions in Hunza bore witness to the longstanding relations between the two countries. Also featured on the panel was Mr. Salman Beg, CEO Aga Khan Cultural Services Pakistan, who delineated the efforts being undertaken by AKCSP to ensure the preservation of cultural heritage in the area. He laid great emphasis on the possible challenges the region could face with the influx of tourists from China. Given the small population of Hunza, the preservation activities have borne fruit; however, with a considerable increase in the number of tourists, ensuring the safety of cultural heritage and historical sites could become an uphill task.

    The launching ceremony of the Salaam-Confucius Exhibition took place later in the evening, which was attended by foreign dignitaries, parliamentarians, academicians, students, as well as the general public. Federal minister for Culture, Information, Broadcasting and Heritage, Senator Pervez Rashid was the Chief Guest at the ceremony, while President Broad-Link Cultural Creative Group Mr. Lin Youwu, H.E. Acting Ambassador for China Mr. Zhao Lijian, and Professor Li Xiguang from the Tsinghua University were also present on the occasion.

    Salaam-Confucius Cultural Exhibition

    Flying lanterns lighting up the sky at the launch of the Salaam-Confucius Cultural Exhibition

    In his welcome note at the opening ceremony, Senator Mushahid Hussain expressed that the teachings of the great Chinese philosopher, Confucius, hold relevance for various cultures and countries till this day. He remarked that cultural exchanges constitute the biggest antidote to any and all forms of extremism. Other speakers followed the same theme as their messages echoed a similar stance of spreading the idea of love and harmony through cultural exchanges.

    The session was followed by an elaborate flying lantern ceremony and an exhilarating performance by the Peshawar-based band, Khumariyaan. The musical concert was a treat for the audience comprising of diplomats, Chinese delegations, local university students and families.

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    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