Chinese New Year 2015 celebrations at PNCA Islamabad
Written by: Staff Report Posted on: February 18, 2015 | | 中文
Ethnic dresses
The advent of the Chinese New Year was celebrated by the Embassy of the Peoples Republic of China at the PNCA Islamabad, with wonderful performances by the Qinghai Art Troupe. President Mamnoon Hussain and his wife were the Chief Guests on the occasion.
His Excellency Ambassador Sun Weidong, in his address on the occasion, pointed out that this was the China-Pakistan Year of Friendly Exchanges, and President Xi Jinping will soon be making a state visit to Pakistan. With the construction of China-Economic Corridor, the development of ports, energy, infrastructure and industry would get a big boost. Pointing out the importance of the Chinese New Year for the people of China, he said that in these 40 days, 3 billion people, that is half the population of the world, was expected to travel from their workplace to their family homes, the largest flow of travelers at any one time in the world. He declared that like him, many Chinese will spend the New Year in Pakistan, but they will not feel lonely because Pakistan is their second home.
Kalash dance
The great ethnic mix in the Qinghai province was evident in the various dances and acrobatics performed at the celebration. The rich variety of the troupe’s dresses and headgears reflected the influence of Islam and Buddhism, as the province neighbours Tibet and Xinjiang; ethnic minorities constitute just a little less than half the population of this province.
Fan dance
The performances were varied, and in the quintessential Chinese way, executed with perfection. The dances were an interesting mix of acrobatics and balancing skills, sometimes with plates and other times with hula hoops. In order to integrate Pakistani culture into the show, they had local groups perform the Kalash ethnic dance, and Sindh’s Jhoomer. The evening wound up with a joyful rendition of Sohni Dharti by a talented singer of the Qinghai troupe.
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
Video message by Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed on Black Day of Indian Occupation of Kashmir
Video message by Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed on Black Day of Indian Occupation of Kashmir, 27 October 1947, when Indian military troops forcibly occupied Kashmir illegally, claiming a fraudulent ‘Instrument of Accession’ which never existed as documented by eminent British historian Alastair Lamb! Kashmir & Palestine are examples of illegal occupation & continued Resistance to Repression! There are so many commonalities in Kashmir & Palestine: both under brutal military occupation of foreign powers, both are facing an indigenous, popular, spontaneous & widespread Resistance & Uprising, both are in violation of UN Resolutions which haven’t been implemented, both are witnessing an attempted change in the demographic balance, both are facing the use of rape as a weapon of war, both are testimony to double-standards & hypocrisy of Western powers on human rights & fundamental rights, and both conflicts have an element of racism and Islamophobia, while enduring peace, security and stability will remain elusive in both regions, South Asia & Middle East, until these issues are resolved in accordance with popular aspirations.
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