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    CELEBRATING PAKISTAN-CHINA FRIENDSHIP YEAR

    Written by: Aiza Azam
    Posted on: July 2012 | | 中文

    The Roots School System, in collaboration with China Radio International, recently organized an event to celebrate the 60th year of Sino-Pak relations at the Pakistan-China Friendship Center in Islamabad. It was attended by a number of important figures, including Ambassador Liu Jian, China’s envoy to Pakistan; Pakistani Ambassador to Beijing, Masood Khan; Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Dr. Firdous Aashiq Awan; and Chairman of the Pakistan-China Institute, Mushahid Hussain.

    Following a rendition of the national anthems of both countries, the proceedings began with a series of short addresses. In a message relayed by the stage secretary, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani lauded the Roots School System for its pioneering initiative of teaching the Chinese language as an integral part of the curriculum, and expressed pleasure at the fact that over a thousand students were currently part of the program. He congratulated the Roots School System and China Radio International for celebrating the Pakistan-China Friendship Year, and reiterated his support for their endeavors in promoting the multi-faceted relationship between the two countries.

    Faisal Mushtaq, Executive Director of the Roots School System, thanked the students’ parents for sharing the school’s ambition for learning Chinese, and for inculcating this passion in their children. He declared that to the world, China is a great nation, but to Pakistan, it is a great friend. He highlighted the importance of promoting interaction between the people of both countries to enhance socio-cultural understanding, and to help in creating a new people to people dimension in a historical friendship, which had largely been limited to governments.

    Mushahid Hussain described how the idea of the Roots Confucius Classroom had been born on Mushtaq’s first visit to Urumqi, where the Director had proposed establishing a comprehensive program for teaching Chinese to Pakistani students, and how Mushtaq’s relentless efforts were bearing fruit as nearly 1500 students were currently learning Mandarin. Mushahid Hussain lauded Mushtaq’s passion, and his role in building a new Pakistani generation which would be well versed in the Chinese language and culture. He underscored the importance of this by adding that the 21st century would be an Asian century, led by the rise of China. He also stated that for the two neighbors, who were already partners in the fields of economy and security, education was the newest point of convergence.

    Ambassador Jian mirrored these sentiments on the significance of learning Chinese in order to foster stronger ties, saying that if the two countries had been able to develop and sustain a strong relationship despite the language barrier, the possibilities that existed once it were overcome, could be imagined. He asserted that it was improved people to people contact, especially between the youth of the two nations, that would enhance the Sino-Pak friendship and carry it into the future.

    The students’ program then commenced, beginning with the Ribbon and Flag Bearers Dance. Two chains of students descended the stairs of the auditorium at a run, with banners symbolizing the growing Sino-Pak friendship held high above their heads. The energetic music, accompanied by the thunderous applause of an auditorium packed to capacity with the families of the school children, was a fitting start to the evening’s cultural festivity. It was followed by a tribute to the armed forces of Pakistan and China, as students dressed in the military uniforms of the two countries marched to austere music.

    The program was largely built around musical recitals depicting Chinese culture and tradition. Among the performances that particularly stood out were that of Shui Xiu or Water Sleeve Dance, performed by girls in delicate blue dresses with elongated sleeves; the Moli Hua or Jasmine Dance, a tribute to Pakistan’s national flower; the Descendants of the Dragon Dance, performed to Chinese popular music; the Tai Chi Chuan performance, a demonstration of a form of Chinese martial art; the Lion Dance, carried out by two groups of students in traditional lion costumes of red and gold; and, the highlight of the evening, the Karate performance, where both male and female students demonstrated their martial arts prowess through a series of challenging exercises that drew enthusiastic appreciation from the audience. Each performance had a distinctive backdrop and carefully tailored costumes, reflecting the effort that had gone into ensuring authenticity and maximum audio-visual impact. Also included were traditional performances by the PNCA dance troupe of Islamabad.

    At the end of the program, Firdous Ashiq Awan was requested to say a few words. In reference to the final performance, and to the amusement of the audience, she jokingly referred to herself as the “best player of political karate.” The Minister expressed her appreciation for the achievements of the Roots Confucius Classroom and lauded the Roots School System for turning the language barrier into a tool for greater opportunity and diversity.

    The evening was a triumphant celebration of the 60 years of Pakistan-China friendship.
     


    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