Top Chinese cultural artistes from different ethnic groups enthralled the Pakistani and Chinese audience at the Pakistan-China Friendship Centre to express gratitude to the Pakistani government and its people for extending a warm welcome to Chinese President Xi Jinping and his delegation.
Advisor to the Prime Minister on National Security Sartaj Aziz was the chief guest on the occasion while Chinese ambassador Sun Weidong, Planning Commission Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Fatemi and former Naval Chief Mr Asif Sandhila were also present on the occasion.
Aijiang, the host of the function, spoke in Urdu and English to explain each and every performance by the Chinese artistes. The first performance was an acrobatic dance reflecting the values and heritage of the Ming Dynasty. The Chinese artistes also performed Shaolin Boxing, which is a significant feature of Chinese martial arts films.
China’s traditional music instruments were played by the Chinese artistes which enthralled the audience.
Ballet on shoulder dance was displayed. The dancers wearing colourful and trendy traditional outfits enthralled the audience displaying folk dances from rural and historic cultural heritage of various parts of China.
Legendary monks of the Shaolin temple also performed on the occasion.
A Chinese singer, Cao Qian, sang a popular Pakistani song, “Tujhay pyar kartay kartay meri umr beet jaye” fromthw legendary Pakistani movie “Mera Naam Hay Mohabbat” which was very popular in China and was screened for almost three decades in various cinema houses in China, Aijiang said at the occasion.
Addressing the audience, Sun Weidong said that the Cultural troupe had specially flown in from the Chinese Province of Hunan to express thanks to the Pakistani nation for hosting the Chinese President and his delegation.
He said that China always puts Pak as it’s priority in its diplomatic policy. He said the Pakistani government and its people had extended great hospitability to the Chinese leader on his maiden visit to Islamabad last week where more than 20 events were held during his two-day visit.
“This highlights the visit which was historic and significant by all means. It would take the strategic relationship between China and Pakistan to new heights. The government, military, parliament and people from all segments of life extended their love to the Chinese leader. We are deeply moved and touched of the warm welcome accorded to the Chinese leadership,” he added.
The Chinese envoy said that to offer an unparalleled respect eight JF-17 airplanes had escorted the special plane of the Chinese president. “We will never forget the wonderful and considerate arrangements made during the visit. The whole city of Islamabad was full of festivity and jubilation. This fully symbolises the depth of the bilateral relations,” he added.
He said that during the visit, President Xi said that despite the fact that this was his first visit to Pakistan but he felt like he was visiting the home of his own brother.
“The media also accorded the visit with explicit coverage of the Chinese president which reflects the depth of the iron-brotherhood between Pakistan and China. I offer my heartfelt gratitude to the government, media and people of Pakistan for the excellent warm welcome to the visit of Chinese President. This would provide impetus to the strategic partnership for development and progress of the Asia region,” he added.
He said China is ready to work together with Pakistan to take the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor forward. “Year 2015 is the year of friendly exchanges between Pakistan and China. We should also continue to take forward our joint cooperation against terrorism, defence and issue other international issue. As the Chinese saying goes, ‘The thousand miles journey starts with the first step’, let’s we take forward this friendship between China and Pakistan,” he concluded.
In his speech, Sartaj Aziz said the historic visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping would go a long way in cementing the bilateral relations between the two brotherly states. “The other day when I met President Xi in Jakarta and he said that though he was physically was in Jakarta, his heart was still in Islamabad,” said Aziz.
He said that Pakistan and China’s friendship had become a model of strategic alliance for other nations.
“The joint declaration and 51 MoUs signed on the eve of this visit would go a long way in making this friendship between both friendly nations a watershed cooperation. It’s truly a game changer for not only Pakistan but also for entire regional development. We are also moving ahead to ensure security arrangements for the Chinese nationals coming and working in Pakistan”.
This friendship is rooted not only in the development projects but also in the hearts and minds of the peoples of Pakistan and China, added Sartaj Aziz.
