Pakistan-China Friendship Year 2011 Cultural Activities Reception & the Opening Ceremony of Chinese Culture Experience Centre was successfully held by Confucius Institute in Islamabad

Prof. Dr. Aziz, Rector of NUML presented his welcome address to all the guests. He said that Pak-China friendship was higher than mountains and deeper than oceans, and hoped the youth would carry on and make this valuable friendship much stronger. Dr. Aziz highly praised CII’s contribution and role in promoting cultural exchange between the two countries, and congratulated CII on being awarded “Confucius Institute of the Year” once again. He continued to announce the detailed plan for the cultural programs, including Summer Camps, the 10th Chinese Bridge-Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign College Students and Confucius Institute Scholarships. In addition to organizing various functions such as Principal Delegation to China, Forums on Pak-China friendship and Picture Exhibition of Pak-China friendship have been in progress. Mr. Yang Linhai, the Cultural Councilor of the Chinese Embassy, delivered a significant speech in which he spoke highly of the efforts and contributions made by CII and later announced a exciting news for those who wish to study in China: Chinese government is planning to offer 500 scholarships to Pakistani students in the upcoming three years. Mr. Yang said: “The students studying Chinese Language in the country are the future diplomats who can play their dynamic role in intensifying a deeper understanding between the two neighboring countries. The leadership of both countries focused on student-to-student interaction, for this purpose we are supporting a Pakistani students’ delegation to visit China”. Yang’s speech was cheered by the students instantaneously.

Mr. Javed, Additional Secretary from the Foreign Ministry and Mr. Zafar, CEO of Pak-China Bureau of Punjab, also commended the Pak-China friendship in their remarks, expressing that they would like to work together with the Chinese Embassy and CII to push the Pak-China relations to a new height in this “Pak-China Friendship Year”.

After the unveiling ceremony of the CII newly built “Chinese Culture Experiencing Center”, CII students presented a well-prepared performance in Chinese and Urdu language for the guests. In Chinese Culture Experiencing Center, modern multi-media technology is used to introduce and exhibit Chinese language & culture. Users could get more authentic experiences of China through three-dimensional combination of video and audio. The launch of the cultural center not only diversified the CII Chinese classroom, but also opened a Chinese window for the local residents.

The Guests and participants had a thorough discussion over the series of the CII’s upcoming cultural communication events during the reception party that followed and expressed hope that they would try their best to coordinate the activities and be willing to cooperate with CII in future. The CII’s staff was surrounded by the students who were desirous to know the specific details of these events. The CII staff members gave concrete answers to all the questions raised, welcoming more Pakistani students to participate fully in the forthcoming cultural communication activities.

The overall success of this reception, officially served as the prelude to CII‘s series of events to be organized during this “Pak-China Friendship Year”. In the coming months, CII will work hard as the bond in non-governmental exchanges, devoting itself to the cultural communication between students of both countries, to intensify mutual understanding and enhance extensive intercourse.

（by Confucius Institute in Islamabad）