ISLAMABAD: Pakistan ranks the first among other 183 countries, in term of number of students got Chinese government scholarship, as 5,081 students are studying with Chinese government scholarship, which speaks volume about the Pak-China trusted friendship and brotherhood.
According to the statistics of Education Ministry of China, in the year of 2016, 5081 Pakistani students are studying China with Chinese government scholarship; however some Pakistani students go to universities in China at their own expenses, so the total number of Pakistani students studying in China right now is over 10,000.
These views were expressed by Chinese Ambassador’s wife Mrs Diana Bao, while speaking at a Prize Distribution Ceremony here in Islamabad Model College for Boys, F-7/3.
She said that Chinese embassy, Chinese companies and organizations also provide various kind of short term students exchange programs, teachers’ training programs and academic seminars since the start of CPEC.
Dr. Tariq Masood, Federal Education Directorate and Dr. Shahid Haseeb, Principle of Islamabad Model College for Boys, F-7/3 were also present on the occasion. She graced the occasion as a chief guest.
She said that being an English teacher for over ten years, she had strong affections for education. There is an old saying in China, “It takes 10 years to grow a tree, 100 years to rear people”.
“I believe teachers and administration team of your prestigious college have done a very good job that’s why I can see so many excellent students obtained awards today,” she added.
She said, “I would like to take this opportunity to introduce One Belt One Road Initiative to you,” and added, “One Belt refers to “The Silk Road Economic Belt” and One Road means “the 21st-century Maritime Silk Road”, both of which are initiated by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013, focus on connectivity and cooperation between China and countries of Asia, Middle East, Africa and Europe.”
One week ago, China successfully hosted the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing. Leaders from 29 countries and representatives from over 130 nations and 70 international organizations including Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif participated the forum and round table conference, she maintained.
Chinese President and Premier Li Keqiang had fruitful meetings with him at sideline of the Forum. This is because China and Pakistan are good neighbors, trusted partners, dear friends and iron brothers, and also because CPEC has achieved the most cooperative projects compared to other countries.
According to the statistics up till now, there are 19 early harvest projects under CPEC with the total amount of USD 18.5 billion, which is the largest number among all the countries along the Belt and Road; and according to an international financial institution, job opportunities related to CPEC will reach 700,000 between the year of 2015 to 2030, she added.
Diana Bao said that one of the most important part of Belt & Road Initiative is to enhance people to people contact and understanding. Since China started Belt & Road Initiative in 2013, Chinese government has adopted favorable policy for education, personnel training and exchange with the countries along Belt & Road, for example, the size of government scholarship for foreign students of countries along Belt and Road has been extended.
Last year, some of your talented students and teachers were selected to take part in Beijing International Summer Camp and Teachers’ Training at Beijing International Studies University. They were very much impressed by the economic development and achievement of China, and inspired to learn Chinese language and culture.
“I would like to invite you, during the next academic year, to visit Chinese embassy for “Open House” program in which you can learn how to write Chinese characters with brush, how to make paper cutting, how to make GongFu Tea and practice TaiJi,” she added.
Diana Bao advised that Pakistani youth should learn Chinese language and understand Chinese culture so that you will participate in the construction of CPEC. I believe that you will grow with CPEC and benefit from CPEC, and realize your personal dream with the dream of Pakistan.
