China vows to strengthen Sino-Pak relations

ISLAMABAD - China will further strengthen the bilateral relations between Pakistan and China through promotion of Chinese language and culture, Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Sun Weidong said on Friday.

Speaking at the ceremony of the 10th anniversary of the founding of Confucius Institute at National University of Modern Languages (NUML) in Islamabad, Sun termed the Confucius Institute as the icon of China-Pakistan friendly relations and said it is making these proverbial relations stronger through promotion of Chinese language and culture.

The two-day Confucius Institute Day celebration was held at main campus of the NUML that was attended by Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Sun Weidong, Chairman of Pakistan Parliament's Defense Committee Senator Mushahid Hussain, Rector of the NUML Masood Hassan and people from all walks of life.

"I hope the Confucius Institute will bring China-Pakistan relations to a higher level and will further deep root the love and respect in hearts of the people," Sun addressed the jam-packed auditorium at the NUML.

The first Confucius Institute was established in South Korea in 2004, while the Confucius Institute Islamabad was founded in 2005 by the Office of Chinese Language Council International, Beijing Language and Culture University, and the NUML.

The Confucius Institute Islamabad is the first Confucius Institute based on the all-weather strategic partnership between China and Pakistan, and also the first Confucius Institute in Islamic world.

Honoring the great teacher, guru and philosopher (Confucius), Senator Mushahid Hussain said "Confucius Institute is a model institution that is a language and culture bridge between the two countries and the people of the two nations."

Rector of NUML Masood Hassan said, "We take pride in being a privileged partner of Confucius Institute, as it translates our vision and mission in letter and in spirit."

"For us Confucius Institute is not only an institute for language, but a representative of whole civilization of China," said Hassan.

During the celebrations, Chinese culture was presented through nearly 20 perspectives, including Chinese language, medicine, calligraphy, wushu, tea art, musical instruments, costumes, Chinese foods, Beijing opera and paper-cutting.

Pakistani students also participated in contests of calligraphy, paper-cutting, mask drawing and Chinese language and culture.

During the ceremony, Pakistani students got applause from audience by singing Chinese songs, showing dragon dance and presenting traditional Pakistani dances and tableaus.