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    Tianjin, the Pearl of the Bohai Sea

    Written by: Feng Yang
    Posted on: June 13, 2018 | | 中文

    The beautiful city of Tianjin

    The Belt and Road Initiative reflects the wishes and common interests of people in the countries along the Belt & Road areas. The old Silk Roads have been revitalized and this is the beginning of a new chapter. Meanwhile, the ancient Tianjin Port has also regained its full vitality.

    Tianjin, one of the famous historical and cultural cities in China, became well known for its functionality in the canal based transportation of grain to the capital in the ancient times. The city of Tianjin was founded on November 21st of the second year of Emperor Yongle (1405 AD) in the Ming Dynasty, which makes it the only city in ancient China that has a definite founding date. Tianjin is located in the confluence of the five tributaries of the Haihe River on the North China Plain, with the Bohai Sea to the east and Yanshan Mountain to the north. The Haihe River, which is the sixth longest river in China, winds through the city. Tianjin is one of the host cities for the summer Davos Forum.

    Tianjin’s unique geographical location and historical opportunities have created different urban styles and features of Tianjin, a combination of ancient and modern, Chinese and Western.

    Tianjin Port is the largest integrated trading port in North China, with the largest container terminals in the country. Tianjin Binhai International Airport has a number of international and domestic flight routes, which is also the largest freight transportation center in North China. Tianjin railway hub is the intersection of two major railway lines, Beijing-Shanhaiguan Railway and Beijing-Shanghai Railway. The highways in Tianjin extend in all directions, with perfect traffic infrastructure facilities. So far, Tianjin possesses an integrated modern transport network, with Tianjin Port as the center, and a combination of land, sea and air transportation.

    As one of the cities in the first batch of Best Tourist Cities in China, Tianjin is quite rich in tourism resources. The Fifth Avenue in Tianjin, just the same as the Hutongs in Beijing, is the very place to experience the ambience of this city. If one pays a visit to Nankai University and Tianjin University, he or she may further understand the culture of Tianjin. Nankai University, whose buildings have strong artistic features, educated one of the greatest leaders of modern China, Mr. Zhou Enlai. The Ancient Culture Street is the largest modeled antique architectural complex in the city. Most of the 80 individual buildings on the street are one-storey or two-storey, decorated with colored paintings, tile carvings and wood carvings, all falling under the themes of classical Chinese literature, myths and legends.

    A porcelain House

    A porcelain House

    Tianjin is also famous for its local food, such as Fried Dough Twists of Tianjin and Goubuli Stuffed Buns. There are also quite a few local craftworks, such as Painted Sculptural Art of Clay Figurine Zhang and Yangliuqing Wooden New Year Pictures. Tianjin is also the origin place of many Chinese folk arts, for example, the well-known comic dialogue form called Xiangsheng (cross talk).

    Since 1644, lots of teahouses, story-telling houses, and outdoor playhouses have appeared gradually in the places near Tianjin Pier, attracting many performers from afar. Pingxi, a local opera of north and northeast China, and Hebei Clapper Opera, have both taken root here, making Tianjin their “birthplace.” Various kinds of drum music with rich local characteristics became popular in Tianjin, making it the renowned “City of Chinese Folk Art Forms.” Shehuo, a traditional collective of folk festivities, has existed for centuries, passing down from generation to generation, and is still very popular among the villages. Tianjin is also a city of martial arts and the Kung Fu master Huo Yuanjia, who often appears in TV dramas of Hong Kong, is a representative citizen of the city.

     

    Translated by Yang Keli


    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