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    Year of the Rooster: Chinese New Year Celebrated at PNCA, Islamabad

    Written by: Zainab Hasan
    Posted on: January 20, 2017 | | 中文

    Chinese Ambassador H.E. Mr. Sun Weidong addressing the crowd at the Chinese New Year Celebration in PNCA, Islamabad

    The Chinese New Year, often referred to as the Spring Festival, is the biggest and most celebrated event in the Chinese calendar. The date of the festival is dictated by the Chinese lunisolar calendar, and thus can fall anywhere between January 21 and February 20 each year. This year, the Chinese New Year will begin on January 28. The festival is centuries old and has great historical significance. Traditionally, it was considered as a time to honor deities and ancestors. Today, it is celebrated in various parts of the world, particularly in countries with a significant Chinese population.

    On Thursday, January 19, the reception of the Chinese New Year celebration was hosted by the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China and the Ministry of Culture of the People’s Republic of China at the PNCA, Islamabad. Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed and Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haider, Deputy Chairman Senate of Pakistan, were the chief guests at the event.

    Chinese New Year Celebrations 2017 at PNCA Islamabad

    (l-r) Cultural Counsellor, H.E You Yi, Chairman Mushahid Hussain, Deputy Chairman Senate Abdul Ghafoor Haideri, Mr. and Mrs. Chinese Ambassador H.E Sun Weidong and other distinguished guests at the ceremony

    In his opening remarks, the Ambassador of China, H.E. Mr. Sun Weidong stated that China has a rich history and a brilliant culture. He also shared some interesting insights on the Year of the Rooster. He mentioned the old Chinese proverb, “The dawn rises only when the rooster crows”, and explained that in ancient China, the rooster was described as a majestic and almost celestial creature, and that it is associated with the virtue of hard work.

    You Yi, the Director of China Cultural Center, emphasized on the unity of Pakistan and China: “With bright colors, non-stop revelry and sheer exuberance, the Chinese New Year is one festival that demands all of your attention and energy. By introducing Pakistan to our multifaceted culture, we will have a stronger footing for a better understanding”. He further expressed hope to see Pakistani artists performing in China in the near future.

    Chinese New Year Celebrations 2017 at PNCA Islamabad

    Acrobatic performances at the event

    The opening speeches were followed by some wonderful cultural performances. The Inner Mongolia Art Troupe enthralled the PNCA crowd with their traditional dances, songs and acrobatics reflecting Mongolian life. The ensemble has an illustrious history of 70 years, and has won numerous awards in China as well as other countries. Performances included deep throat singing acrobatics, high-pole handstands, the sounds of the morin khuur (horsehead fiddle), and many more, all of which received thunderous applause from the audience. A solo flute version of the song Prairie Love – one of the masterpieces of Chinese flute music – was also performed. A female group dance titled Hello showed the virtues of Mongolian women such as elegance, kindheartedness and hospitality. The male group dance depicted the dauntless spirit of the warriors from the Mongolian tribe Chahar. The song and dance segments served to demonstrate and further promote unanimity amongst all ethnic groups in Inner Mongolia.

    Chinese New Year Celebrations 2017 at PNCA Islamabad

    A group dance showing the virtues of Mongolian women such as elegance, kindheartedness and hospitality

    The Chinese New Year ceremony not only included traditional Chinese performances, but also celebrated Pakistani culture. Local groups performed classic tunes on the rubab and other traditional instruments. A special dance was also performed to pay tribute to the Quaid-i-Azam’s undying love and exemplary efforts for the country. It was heartwarming to witness one of the performers from the Inner Mongolia Art Troupe singing our national song, Jeevay Jeevay Pakistan in both Urdu and Mandarin. As a gesture of goodwill, all guests were served sweets, following the old Chinese tradition of feasting on exotic delicacies and exchanging mandarin oranges for good luck.

    Chinese New Year Celebrations 2017 at PNCA Islamabad

    Acrobatics - plate spinning

     

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    As the new year begins, let us also start anew. I’m delighted to extend, on behalf of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and in my own name, new year’s greeting and sincere wishes to YOULIN magazine’s staff and readers.

    Only in hard times can courage and perseverance be manifested. Only with courage can we live to the fullest. 2020 was an extraordinary year. Confronted by the COVID-19 pandemic, China and Pakistan supported each other and took on the challenge in solidarity. The ironclad China-Pakistan friendship grew stronger as time went by. The China Pakistan Economic Corridor projects advanced steadily in difficult times, become a standard-bearer project of the Belt and Road Initiative in balancing pandemic prevention and project achievement. The handling capacity of the Gwadar Port has continued to rise and Afghanistan transit trade through the port has officially been launched. The Karakoram Highway Phase II upgrade project is fully open to traffic. The Lahore Orange Line project has been put into operation. The construction of Matiari-Lahore HVDC project was fully completed. A batch of green and clean energy projects, such as the Kohala and Azad Pattan hydropower plants have been substantially promoted. Development agreement for the Rashakai SEZ has been signed. The China-Pakistan Community of Shared Future has become closer and closer.

    Reviewing the past and looking to the future, we are confident to write a brilliant new chapter. The year 2021 is the 100th birthday of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan. The 100-year journey of CPC surges forward with great momentum and China-Pakistan relationship has flourished in the past 70 years. Standing at a new historic point, China is willing to work together with Pakistan to further implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, connect the CPEC cooperation with the vision of the “Naya Pakistan”, promote the long-term development of the China-Pakistan All-weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership with love, dedication and commitment. Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the founding father of Pakistan said, “We are going through fire. The sunshine has yet to come.” Yes, Pakistan’s best days are ahead, China will stand with Pakistan firmly all the way.

    YOULIN magazine is dedicated to promoting cultural exchanges between China and Pakistan and is a window for Pakistani friends to learn about China, especially the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. It is hoped that with the joint efforts of China and Pakistan, YOULIN can listen more to the voices of readers in China and Pakistan, better play its role as a bridge to promote more effectively people-to-people bond.

    Last but not least, I would like to wish all the staff and readers of YOULIN a warm and prosper year in 2021.

    Nong Rong Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of
    The People’s Republic of China to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
    January 2021