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PR. No.352/2008
Date: 22/11/2008
REMARKS BY THE FOREIGN MINISTER OF PAKISTAN AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF CHINA CULTURAL WEEK HELD AT PNCA, ISLAMABAD ON 21 NOVEMBER 2008
Excellencies, Ladies & Gentlemen,
It gives me immense pleasure to attend the Opening Ceremony of the China Cultural Week. We are all gathered here to witness a few glimpses of the culture, everyday life and history of this great country – our neighbour and long-standing friend.
The Chinese civilization has contributed enormously to the global culture through its ingenuity, richness, sagacity and diversity. Throughout China , one can see the intricate craftsmanship of Chinese artisans in the jade carvings, lacquer ware, terracotta pottery; the beautiful architecture of the Forbidden City ; the engineering marvel of the Great Wall; and the magnificence of Chinese opera. The invention of paper is another ‘first' associated with China .
What we are witnessing today is a splendid renaissance, in all domains, of the ancient Chinese civilization. Recently, the Chinese culture was spectacularly displayed to the world during the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics. My country-fellows were proud to take part in the exhibit of Olympic torch in Islamabad in April. Like in other fields, China excelled in sports too and its athletes established their superiority by winning the highest number of medals.
Pakistan and China have established a multi-faceted partnership. There is a history of our cultural exchanges. The Cultural Agreement between the two countries was signed by Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Marshall Chen Yi at Rawalpindi in 1965. This agreement acts as a roadmap for Pakistan-China cultural exchanges.
Our people fondly remember Chinese dance troupes and gymnasts performing in Pakistan and the Chinese singers singing our national songs like “Jeeway Jeeway Pakistan ”. Similarly Pakistani cultural troupes have been displaying our rich Indus and Gandhara heritage in China . These exchanges have strengthened our ties of brotherhood and familiarized each other with two cultures.
We are also establishing Pakistan-China Cultural Centers, both at Islamabad and in Beijing . The foundation-stone for the Centre in Beijing was laid by the Prime Minister during his visit to Beijing last month. These centers will display culture and arts of our two countries and help forge better cultural ties and strengthen people-to-people contacts.
A Five Year programme of the exchange of 100-member youth delegations between Pakistan and China is also playing an important role in bringing the younger generations of our two countries closer. There is increased interaction between the media, researchers, academics and civil society groups. Exchange of students reflects another important area of people-to-people contacts. We hope to see our coming generations carrying the torch of this traditional friendship and taking our time-tested ties to new heights.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
The Pakistan National Council of Arts and the Chinese Embassy must be commended for bringing us all together for this refreshing photographic exhibition and film show. I hope all of you will enjoy this rich display of Chinese culture.
Islamabad
22 November 2008 |